Vinyl pressings
by Mercy, Mercy · 1985
What Are We Gonna Do About It? was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 5 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.
12ENY 522A -1U-1-1[Sign] timtomRunout Side A, variant 1
12ENY 522B[Scratched "A"] -1U-1-1[Sign] TYRunout Side B, variant 1
12ENY 522A -1U-1⇀1⇀3 timtomRunout side A, stamped (timtom etched) Variant 2
12 E NY 522BA̶ - 1U-1⇀1⇀4 TYRunout side B, stamped (TY etched) variant 2
Side AENY 522A-1U-1 1-11 TimTom
Side BENY 522B-1U 1-1-0
IS 1055ALabel side A
IS 1055BLabel side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Canada | Island Records IS-1055 / Ensign IS-1055First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | Phonogram 884 156-7 / Island Records 884 156-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | France | Ensign 884 156 -1 / Island Records 884 156 -1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Germany | Island Records 602 093First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Italy | Island Records ENYX 522 / Ensign ENYX 522First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Italy | Island Records ENY 522 / Ensign ENY 522First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | UK | Ensign 12ENY 522 DJFirst year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | UK | Ensign 12ENY 522First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | UK | Ensign 12ENY 522First year12", White Label | 12", White Label |
| 1985 | UK | Ensign 12XENY 522First year12" | 12" |
| 1985 | UK | Ensign ENY 522First year7" | 7" |
11 vinyl pressings of What Are We Gonna Do About It? are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, Canada, France, Germany and more. One of them is Ensign 12ENY 522.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 12ENY 522, 12XENY 522, ENY 522, 12ENY 522 DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 12ENY 522A -1U-1-1[Sign] timtom and 12ENY 522B[Scratched "A"] -1U-1-1[Sign] TY. 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.
