Vinyl pressings
by Michael Jackson · 1978
You Can't Win was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 3 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.
XSS-165154-1B MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyA-Side Run-Out, variant 1
XSS-165155-1B MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyB-Side Run-Out, variant 1
P XSS-165154-1B 1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally A 2A-Side Run-Out, variant 2
P XSS-165155-1B 5 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally A 2B-Side Run-Out, variant 2
ZSS-165157 1D MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally PA Side Runout
ZSS-165158-1C MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally PB Side Runout
ZSS 165157A Side Label
ZSS 165158B Side Label
ZSS-165157 1E MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyA Side Runout
ZSS-165158-1E MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally TB Side Runout
ZSS 165157A Side Label
ZSS 165158B Side Label
BA 461949 A 5214 700A-side runout [Hand etched]
BA 461949 B 5215 700B-side runout [Hand etched]
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Mexico | Epic SC-71727First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Epic BA 461949First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | US | Epic 28-50658First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1978 | US | Epic 8-50654First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | US | Epic 28-50658First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Epic 8-50654First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Australia | Epic ES 3357", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Epic EPC 713512", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Epic EPC 71357", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Epic EPC 71357", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Epic 8-506547", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1979 | US | Epic 8-506547", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1979 | UK | Epic S EPC 12-71357", Picture Disc · Picture disc | 7", Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1979 | UK | Epic S EPC 71357", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | UK | Epic S EPC 71357", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Epic ES 3357", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
16 vinyl pressings of You Can't Win are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, Mexico, New Zealand. One of them is Epic 28-50658.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 28-50658, 8-50654, SC-71727, BA 461949) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XSS-165154-1B MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally and XSS-165155-1B MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally. 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.
