Vinyl pressings
by Prince · 1980
Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad? 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.
11 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 5 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-49178 XCA-8879-S-LWI ˙ ⥛ ✲Side A runout
WBS-49178 VCA-7638-S-LWI · ⥛ ✲Side B runout
XCA8879SA-side label
VCA 7638SB-side label
WBS-49178 XCA-8879-S-SR2-SP 1-1Side A runout, etched
WBS-49178 VCA-7638-S-SR1[SRC logo] 1-2Side B, etched [stamped]
XCA 8879SSide A, label
VCA 7638SSide B, label
WBS-49178 XCA-8879-S-WW1 —◁A-Side Runout Etching
WBS-49178 VCA-7638-S-WW1 —◁B-Side Runout Etching
XCA 8879SA-Side Label
VCA 7638SB-Side Label
WBS-49178 XCA-8879-S-JW1Side A
WBS-49178 VCA-7638-S-JW1Side B
PRO-A1-848-S-A1 B-14703Side A
PRO-A2-848-S-A1 B-14704Side B
WBS-49178 XCA-8879-DJ-LW1· 1 ✲Side A, runout, etched
WBS-49178 XCA-8879-S-LW1· 1 ✲Side B, runout, etched
XCA 8879Side A, mono label
XCA 8879SSide B, stereo 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 | Barbados | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49178First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Ecuador | Warner Bros. Records 45-80026 / Warner Bros. Records WBS 49178First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49178First year7", 45 RPM, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Misprint |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49178First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records PRO-A-848First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Sampler · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Sampler · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49178First year7", Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1980 | Zambia | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49178First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49178First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49178First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49178First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 49178First year7", Single | 7", Single |
11 vinyl pressings of Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad? are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, Barbados, Ecuador, New Zealand and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records WBS 49178, released January 23, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WBS 49178, PRO-A-848, 45-80026) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WBS-49178 XCA-8879-S-LWI ˙ ⥛ ✲ and WBS-49178 VCA-7638-S-LWI · ⥛ ✲. 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.
