Vinyl pressings
by Prince · 1980
Uptown 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.
19 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 11 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.
WBS-49559-YMN-0012VI-SR4 I-IRunout side A, variant 1
WBS-49559-VCA-7649-S-SR2 SPRunout side B, variant 1
WBS-49559-YMN-0012VI-SR4 SP I-IRunout side A, etched, variant 2
WBS-49559-VCA-7649-S-SR2 SP -1Runout side B, etched, variant 2
WBS-49559 YMN-0012-VI-S-WWI · ─◁Side A, runout
WBS-49559 VCA-7649-S-WWI · ─◁Side B, runout
YMN 0012VISSide A, label
VCA 7649SSide B, label
WBS-49559 YMN-0012-VI-S-LWI . ** ..Variant 1, side A, runout
WBS-49559 VCA-7649-S-LWI . ** CJVariant 1, side B, runout
WBS-49559 YMN-0012-VI-S-LW2 · 1 **Variant 2, side A, runout
WBS-49559 VCA-7649-S-LW1 · 2 **Variant 2, side B, runout
WBS-49559 YMN-0012-VI-S-JWI 0Side A, runout
WBS-49559 VCA-7649-S-JWI 0Side B, runout
YMN 0012VISSide A, label
VCA 7649SSide B, label
WBS-49559-YMN-0012VI-SR3 sp 1-3side A etched/stamped
WBS-49559 VCA-7649-S-SR2 SPside B etched
WBS-49559 YMN-0012-V1-S-LW1 ⥛ ✲✲Side A, etched
WBS-49559 YMN-0012-V1-DJ-LW1 ⥛ ✲✲Side B, etched
YMN0012 VISSide A, label
YMN 0012 VIDJSide 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 | Benelux | Warner Bros. Records WB 17700First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Benelux | Warner Bros. Records WB 26155First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 16.184 / Warner Bros. Records WBS 49559First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Ecuador | Warner Bros. Records WBS 45-80043First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | France | Warner Bros. Records PRO 524First year12", Promo, Mixed, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, Mixed, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-638WFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Kenya | Warner Bros. Records WBS 399 / Warner Bros. Records WBS 399First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Panama | Warner Bros. Records WBS-49559First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | South Africa | Warner Bros. Records WBS 399First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records PRO-A-904First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49559 / Warner Bros. Records WBS49559First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49559 / Warner Bros. Records WBS49559First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49559 / Warner Bros. Records WBS49559First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS49559First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Zambia | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49559First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
19 vinyl pressings of Uptown are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, New Zealand, Benelux, Brazil and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records WBS 49559, released September 10, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WBS 49559, WBS49559, PRO-A-904, WB 17700) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WBS-49559-YMN-0012VI-SR4 I-I and WBS-49559-VCA-7649-S-SR2 SP. 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.
