Vinyl pressings
by Prince · 1981
Controversy was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
27 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 10 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.
STRAWBERRYMastering suite's runout stamp
K-17866T A1 W050 W̶̷0̶̷4̶̷9̶̷ STRAWBERRYSide A etched/stamped
K17866T B-1 W050 W̶̷0̶̷4̶̷9̶̷ STRAWBERRYSide B etched/stamped
STRAWBERRY W5 K-17866 A-1 / W049Side A, hand-etched.
W049 STRAWBERRY K-17866 BSide B, hand-etched.
STRAWBERRYMastering suite's runout stamp
STRAWBERRY K-17866T A-1 W050 W̶0̶4̶9̶ EXTRASide A
STRAWBERRY K17866T B-1 W050 W̶0̶4̶9̶ EXTRASide B
WBS-49808-ZCA-1241-S-LWI ˙ ⥛ ✲Runout A
WBS-49808 YMN-0014-S LWI ˙ ⥛ ✲Runout B
WBS-49808-ZCA-1241-S-SRI SPRunout side A, variant 1
WBS-49808 YMN-0014-S-SP2 SRCRunout side B, variant 1
WBS-49808 ZCA-1241-5-SP1Runout side A, etched, variant 2
WBS-49808 YMN-0014-2-SP2Runout side B, etched, variant 2
WBS-49808-ZCA-1241-S-WWI ─◁Side A
WBS-49808-YMW-0014-S-WWI ─◁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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Benelux | Warner Bros. Records WB 26195 / Warner Bros. Records WB 26.195First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Benelux | Warner Bros. Records WB 17.866First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Benelux | Warner Bros. Records WB 17.866First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | Bolivia | WEA WS-9012First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 16.212First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49808First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49808First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49808First year7" | 7" |
| 1981 | Ecuador | Warner Bros. Records WBS-49808First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Ecuador | Warner Bros. Records WBS-49808First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Ecuador | Warner Bros. Records WBS-49808First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | France | Warner Bros. Records 17 866First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | France | Warner Bros. Records PRO 530First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Guatemala | Warner Bros. Records WBS-49808First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Guatemala | Warner Bros. Records WBS-49808First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | UK | Warner Bros. Records SAM 127812", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1993 | UK | Paisley Park W0215P / Paisley Park 5439-18280-77", 45 RPM, Single, Numbered, Picture Disc · Numbered, Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Numbered, Picture Disc · Numbered, Picture disc |
| 1993 | UK | Paisley Park W0215P / Paisley Park 5439-18280-77", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Numbered, Picture Disc · Numbered, Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Numbered, Picture Disc · Numbered, Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Unknown | Not On Label (Prince) PURPLE12", Unofficial Release, White Label · Unofficial | 12", Unofficial Release, White Label · Unofficial |
| 2004 | UK | Not On Label (Prince) CON 00112", Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 2005 | Germany | Not On Label (Undercover Syndicate Self-Released) HOUSETEST 0212", Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 12", Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2008 | UK | Not On Label (Prince) BVR-110312", 45 RPM, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo |
36 vinyl pressings of Controversy are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1981 and 2008.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Benelux, Bolivia and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records K17866T, released October 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use K17866T, K 17866, K 17866 (T), WBS49808) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STRAWBERRY and K-17866T A1 W050 W̶̷0̶̷4̶̷9̶̷ STRAWBERRY. 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.
