Vinyl pressings
by Neil Young · 1979
Rust Never Sleeps Hey Hey, My My was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 9 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.
RPS-49031-WXX-0889-VI-RE2-M 0-1Runout side A, Variant 1
RPS-49031-WXX-0843-RE1-S-SR-2 0-1Runout side B, Variant 1
RPS-49031-WXX-0889-VI-RE2-MRunout side A, Variant 2
RPS-49031-WXX-0843-RE1-S-SR-1 dgRunout side B, Variant 2
RPS-49031-WXX-0889-VI-RE2-MRunout side A
RPS-49031-WXX-0843-RE1-S-SR-2Runout side B
K 14498 A-2A-side runout etched
STRAWBERRYA-side runout stamped
K 14498 B-2B-side runout etched
STRAWBERRYB-side runout stamped
MX190567Label side A
MX190568Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Canada | Reprise Records RPS 49031First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Canada | Reprise Records RPS 49031First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Reprise Records REP 14.498First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1979 | Philippines | Reprise Records RR 15019First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Spain | Reprise Records 45 1905 / Hispavox 45 1905 (SN)First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | UK | Reprise Records K 14498First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | US | Reprise Records RPS 49031First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Reprise Records RPS 49031First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | US | Reprise Records RPS 49031First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | US | Reprise Records RS 49031First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Australia | Reprise Records RPS 49031First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | South Africa | Warner Bros. Records WBS 328First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Japan | Reprise Records P-476RFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Japan | Reprise Records P-476RFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
14 vinyl pressings of Rust Never Sleeps Hey Hey, My My are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Australia, South Africa and more. One of them is Reprise Records RPS 49031.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RPS 49031, RS 49031, K 14498, WBS 328) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RPS-49031-WXX-0889-VI-RE2-M 0-1 and RPS-49031-WXX-0843-RE1-S-SR-2 0-1. 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.
