Vinyl pressings
by Men Without Hats · 1982
The Safety Dance was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
36 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 13 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
TAK-1-12-A1 TOWN HOUSESide A runout, variant 1
TAK 112 B-1U-1-1- TOWN HOUSESide B runout, variant 1
TAK-1-12-A1 TOWN HOUSESide A runout, variant 2
TAK 112 B-2U-1-1-Side B runout, variant 2
STAT 24 A-1 ✱ TownhousedSide A runout
STAT 24 B-1 ✱ TownhousedSide B runout
STAT 24ASide A label
STAT 24BSide B label
STAK+1+A2 ORLAKERunout side A, etched
STAK+1+B2Runout side B, etched
STAT 2412 A•1 ✱Runout, side A
STAT 2412 A•1 ✱ ƱtopiaRunout, side B
TAK-1-12-A1Side A runout, variant 1 etched
TAK-1-12 B1Side B runout, variant 1 etched
TOWN HOUSE VBoth sides runout, variant 1 stamped
TAK-1-12-A1 A TOWN HOUSE :) :)Side A runout, variant 2
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | Big Time Phonograph Recording Co. BTE 1000First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Australia | Big Time Phonograph Recording Co. BTS-1000First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Australia | Big Time Phonograph Recording Co. BTE 1000First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Belgium | Statik Records STAT 2412First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1982 | Belgium | Statik Records STAT 24First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Canada | Statik Records STAT 2412 / Sire STAT 2412First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Canada | Statik Records STAT 2412 / Sire TAK 1/12First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1982 | Canada | Sire 25 99567 / Statik Records 25 99567First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Canada | Sire 25 99567First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Canada | Statik Records STAT 2412 / Sire STAT 2412First year12", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1982 | Canada | Sire 25 99567 / Statik Records 25 99567First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Canada | Sire 25 99567 / Statik Records 25 99567First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Canada | Sire 25 99567 / Statik Records 25 99567First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Europe | Statik Records 600 881 / Statik Records 600 881-213First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Europe | Statik Records 600 881 / Virgin 600 881First year12", 45 RPM, Misprint | 12", 45 RPM, Misprint |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Germany | Metrovynil 230512", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1992 | Germany | DSB Records B 9 000 3-12 / ZYX Music B 9 000 3-1212", 45 RPM, Promo, Reissue · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1993 | Germany | Metrovynil 230512", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1993 | Germany | Metrovynil B 9 000312", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1995 | US | Priority Records SPRO 3002512", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | UK | Demon Records SAFETY017", 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Virgin Music 105-507 1007" | 7" |
| ? | Finland | Statik Records STAT 247", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | Philippines | MCA Records PR-83-002 / MCA Records BSR 522327", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | Collectables COL 90006 / MCA Special Markets & Products COL-900067", Reissue | 7", Reissue |
80 vinyl pressings of The Safety Dance are listed here, from 25 countries, released between 1982 and 2013.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, South Africa, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is Statik Records TAK 1/12.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TAK 1/12, STAT 24, STAK 1, STAT 2412) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TAK-1-12-A1 TOWN HOUSE and TAK 112 B-1U-1-1- TOWN HOUSE. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
