Vinyl pressings
by Natalie Cole · 1977
Party Lights was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 11 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.
S45-93426-A F-2 Wly —◁ MASTERED BY CAPITOLA-Side Runout Etching
S45-93432 F-2 Wly —◁ MASTERED BY CAPITOLB-Side Runout Etching
S-93426AA-Side Label
S-93432B-Side Label
S-93426AA-Side Label
S-93432B-Side Label
S 45-93426-A F-3 Wly IA-Side Runout Etching
PRO-8643̶2L F-1(93426-A) Wly ✲B-Side Runout Etching
MASTERED BY CAPITOLStamped Side A and B
P-4439 S93426AA-Side Label
93426AA-Side Label
93432B-Side Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Argentina | Capitol Records 1535First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1977 | Canada | Capitol Records 4439First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Canada | Capitol Records PROMO 4439 / Capitol Records PRO-8642First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Canada | Capitol Records 4439First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | France | Capitol Records 2C 006 - 85179First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Germany | Capitol Records 1C 006-85 179 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-85 179First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Guatemala | Capitol Records 4439First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Jamaica | Capitol Records 4439First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Capitol Records CP 606First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Panama | Capitol Records 4439First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Spain | Capitol Records 10 C 006-85179First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | US | Capitol Records 4439First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | US | Capitol Records 4439First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | US | Capitol Records P-4439First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Australia | Capitol Records CP-11483First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
15 vinyl pressings of Party Lights are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, Argentina, Canada, France and more. One of them is Capitol Records 4439.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4439, P-4439, 1535, 2C 006 - 85179) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S45-93426-A F-2 Wly —◁ MASTERED BY CAPITOL and S45-93432 F-2 Wly —◁ MASTERED BY CAPITOL. 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.
