Vinyl pressings
by Prince · 1981
Gotta Stop (Messin' About) 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.
4 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 2 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.
W-10 LV 47 A2 STRAWBERRYSide A runout, etched/stamped, variant 1
W-2 LV 47 B2 STRAWBERRYSide B runout, etched/stamped, variant 1
W-11 LV 47 A2 · STRAWBERRY ·Side A runout, etched/stamped, variant 2
W-2 LV 47 B2 STRAWBERRYSide B runout, etched/stamped, variant 2
STRAWBERRY K.17819 A-2 W-10 -Side A, hand-etched
STRAWBERRY K 17819 B-2 W-3 -Side B, hand-etched
FWB 0483Label, both sides
STRAWBERRY K.17819 A-2 W-10 -Side A, hand-etched
STRAWBERRY K 17819 B-2 W-3 -Side B, hand-etched
FWB 0483Label, both sides
PRO-A1-937 -SHI + SLM ⁜ ++ △ 608 B-15570Runout side A
PRO-A2-937 -SHI + SLM ⁜ ++ △ 608-X B-15571Runout 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 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K17819 / Warner Bros. Records K 17819First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K17819 / Warner Bros. Records K 17819First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Warner Bros. Records PRO-A-937First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 178197", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1981 | UK | Warner Bros. Records LV 4712", 45 RPM, Reissue, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Warner Bros. Records LV 47 / Warner Bros. Records LV47First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | ICM LCSA 8127", Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 7", Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | France | International RO SDC 437", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release, Promo · Unofficial, Promo, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release, Promo · Unofficial, Promo, Colored vinyl |
| ? | France | International RO SDC 437", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release, Promo · Unofficial, Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release, Promo · Unofficial, Promo |
| ? | France | International RO7", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release, White Label · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release, White Label · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
10 vinyl pressings of Gotta Stop (Messin' About) are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US. One of them is Warner Bros. Records LV 47, released June 19, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LV 47, K17819, PRO-A-937) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, W-10 LV 47 A2 STRAWBERRY and W-2 LV 47 B2 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.
