Vinyl pressings
by Nick Heyward · 1983
Whistle Down The Wind was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1983, 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.
HEY 121 A//2▽420 U 11 2 UTOPIASide A runout, variant 1
HEY 121 B//2▽420 U 1 1 UTOPIASide B runout, variant 1
HEY 121 A//1▽420 U 1 1 4 UTOPIASide A runout, variant 2
HEY 121 B//2▽420 U 11 2 UTOPIASide B runout, variant 2
HEY 1 A² 1 DAMONT [lyre logo]TOPIA XRunout A etched
HEY 1 B² [lyre logo]TOPIA 1 DAMONT KRunout B etched
HEY 1 A//1∇420 U UTOPIA 1 1Runout, side A, stamped/etched
HEY 1 B//1∇420 U 1 1 UTOPIARunout, side B, stamped/etched
Hey 1-ALabel, side A
Hey 1-BLabel, side B
HEY 1 A² 1 DAMONT ƱTOPIARunout A etched
HEY 1 B² ƱTOPIA 1 DAMONT KRunout B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Arista K-9089First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Canada | Arista AS 1 9072First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Europe | Arista 105 291 / Arista 105.291First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Europe | Arista 105 291-100 / Arista 105.291First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Ireland | Arista Hey 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Italy | Arista ARS 37105First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Japan | Arista 7RS-75First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | Arista 7RS-75First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Arista K 9089First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Arista K 9089First year7", Single, Misprint | 7", Single, Misprint |
| 1983 | Portugal | Arista 105291First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Arista ARI 8319First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | South Africa | Arista AAJ 1150First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Spain | Arista B-105 314First year7" | 7" |
| 1983 | Spain | Arista F-600 827 / Arista F-600.827First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Arista AS190727", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
24 vinyl pressings of Whistle Down The Wind are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Arista Hey 121, released March 11, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use Hey 121, HEY 1, Hey 1, HEY 121) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, HEY 121 A//2▽420 U 11 2 UTOPIA and HEY 121 B//2▽420 U 1 1 UTOPIA. 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.
