Vinyl pressings
by Paul Anka · 1976
Happier was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. 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 1976, the album's first year, in 7 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.
36185 A-1/76S Made in GermanyRunout side A
36185 B-1/76S Made in GermanyRunout side B
S 36 185 ALabel, side A
S 36 185 BLabel, side B
p UAST-17760-E [artisan logo]A-Side Runout Etching
p UAST-17761 X [artisan logo]B-Side Runout Etching
UAST-17760-EA-Side Label
UAST-17761B-Side Label
T UAST-17760-E [artisan logo] T I IA-Side Runout Etching
t UAST-17761-1 [artisan logo] T I IB-Side Runout Etching
UAST-17760-EA-Side Label
UAST-17761B-Side Label
J UAST-17760-E [artisan logo]A-Side Runout Etching
J UAST-17761X [artisan logo]B-Side Runout Etching
UAST-17760-EA-Side Label
UAST-17761B-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Belgium | United Artists Records 98483First year7" | 7" |
| 1976 | Canada | United Artists Records UAXW 896YFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | France | United Artists Records UP 36185First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | United Artists Records 36 185 AT / United Artists Records UA 36 185 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1976 | New Zealand | United Artists Records K 6634First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | UK | United Artists Records UP 36185First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | UK | United Artists Records UP 36185First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | United Artists Records UA-XW911-YFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1976 | US | United Artists Records UA-XW911-YFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | US | United Artists Records UA-XW911-YFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | US | United Artists Records UA-XW911-YFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1976 | US | Not On Label7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1978 | Spain | United Artists Records 17.358A7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
13 vinyl pressings of Happier are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1976 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in Germany, UK, US, Belgium and more. One of them is United Artists Records 36 185 AT.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 36 185 AT, UP 36185, UA-XW911-Y, 98483) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 36185 A-1/76S Made in Germany and 36185 B-1/76S Made in Germany. 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.
