Vinyl pressings
by Paul McCartney · 1980
Waterfalls was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
32 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 19 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.
R 6037 A-2URunout, stamped, side A, variant 1
R 6037 B-1URunout, stamped, side B, variant 1
R 6037 A-1U 25 1Runout, stamped, side A, variant 2
R 6037 B-1U 9 1Runout, stamped, side B, variant 2
R 6037 A-2U 1G 1Runout, stamped, side A
R 6037 B-1U 1A 1Runout, stamped, side B
R 6037A-DJLabel, side A
R 6037BLabel, side B
ZSS 167683-1A P SLKRunout A
ZSS 167684-1A P SLKRunout B
ZSS 167683Label A
ZSS 167684Label B
ZSS 167683-1F 1S I5̷ISide A runout
ZSS 167684-1F ϟ. -5̷ISide B runout
ZSS 167683Side A label
ZSS 167684Side Blabel
ZSS-167683-1D T1 SLKSide A Stamped
ZSS-167684-1D T1 SLKSide B Stamped
ZSS 167683Side A Label
ZSS 167684Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Parlophone A-279 / MPL A-279First year7" | 7" |
| 1980 | Australia | Parlophone A-279First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Bolivia | EMI International BO 1291First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Brazil | Parlophone 31C 006 63969Y / MPL 31C 006 63969YFirst year7", 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1980 | Canada | Columbia 1-11335First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | France | Parlophone SP 1108First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Germany | Odeon 1C 006-63 969 / MPL 1C 006-63 969First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Odeon 1 C 006-63 969 / MPL 1 C 006-63 969First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Guatemala | Odeon 4542 / MPL 4542First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Ireland | Parlophone R 6037First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Italy | Parlophone 3C 006-63969 / MPL 3C 006-63969First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Italy | Parlophone 3C 006-63969 / EMI 3C 006-63969First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Japan | Odeon EPS-17030 / MPL EPS-17030First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | MPL EPS-17030 / Odeon EPS-17030First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Mexico | EMI 8433 / EMI 33C 006-63969First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | MPL 006-63969Y7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Reissue |
34 vinyl pressings of Waterfalls are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1980 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, France, Australia and more. One of them is Parlophone R 6037.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use R 6037, 1-11335, 2C 008 63969, A-279) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R 6037 A-2U and R 6037 B-1U. 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.
