Vinyl pressings
by Phil Collins · 1990
Something Happened On The Way To Heaven was first pressed on vinyl in 1990. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1990, 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.
VST 1251 A-2-1- The Exchange DMM DRunout side A, stamped, etched
VST 1251 B-1U-1-2 MASTERDISK DMM VST-1251-BIRunout side B, stamped, etched
VST 1251 ALabel side A
VST 1251 BLabel side B
VS 1251 A-1U-1-Q2 DSide A Runout
VS 1251 B-1U-1-Q3 DSide B Runout
PAULSSide A etched
VS 1251 A-1U-1-Q3 D VS-1251-A1 MASTERDISKRunout side A
VS 1251 B-1U-1-Q3 VS-1251-B1 MASTERDISK DMM DRunout side B
VST 1251 A-1U-1- D MASTERDISK DMM VST-1251-A1Side A, stamped, etched runout
VST 1251 B-1U-1- D MASTERDISK DMM VST-1251-B1Side B, stamped, etched runout
MASTERDISK VS 1251 A-1U-1-1 D VS -1251-A1Runout side A
VS 1251 B -1U-1-2 VS-1251-B1 MASTERDISK DMM DRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Australia | WEA 9031714477 / WEA 903171447=7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1990 | Australia | WEA 9031714480 / WEA 903171448-0First year12" | 12" |
| 1990 | Europe | WEA 9031-71447-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | Europe | WEA 9031-71448-0 / WEA 9031-71448-0 DFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1990 | Europe | WEA 9031-71447-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | France | WEA 9031-71447-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | Hong Kong | WEAFirst year12", Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 12", Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1990 | Mexico | WEA PRO 469First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1990 | Philippines | Atlantic ATR-6421First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | Spain | WEA 1.262First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1990 | UK | Virgin VST 1251First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1990 | UK | Virgin VS 1251First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | UK | Virgin VSP1251First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1990 | UK | Virgin VST 1251First year12", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1990 | UK | Virgin VS 1251First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
20 vinyl pressings of Something Happened On The Way To Heaven are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1990, in UK, US, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is Virgin VST 1251.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VST 1251, VS 1251, VSP1251, 7-87885) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VST 1251 A-2-1- The Exchange DMM D and VST 1251 B-1U-1-2 MASTERDISK DMM VST-1251-BI. 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.
