Vinyl pressings
by Racey · 1979
Boy Oh Boy was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1979, 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.
1 YRAK 297 A-4 N RRunout side A, etching, variant 1
2 YRAK 297 B-1U AA ƱRunout side B, etching, variant 1
YRAK 297 A-2U R –Runout side A, etching, variant 2
Ʊ YRAK 297 B-1U GM –Runout side B, etching, variant 2
YRAK 297 A-4 O G 1Stamped runout, side A
YRAK 297 B-1U A O 2Stamped runout, side B
[Utopia Lyre Logo]Etched runout, side B
YRAK 297A 45Label Side A
YRAK 297B 45Label Side B
RAK 101 ASide A runout etched
RAK 101 BSide B runout etched
63 114 A - 2Runout side A, variant 1
63 114 B - 1Runout side B, variant 1
63 114 A - 1Runout side A, variant 2
63 114 B - 1Runout side B, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | RAK RAK-101First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Belgium | RAK 4C 006-63 114 / EMI Electrola 4C 006-63 114First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Germany | RAK 1 C 006-63 114 / EMI Electrola 1 C 006-63 114First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Ireland | RAK RAK 297First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Ireland | RAK RAK 297First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Netherlands | RAK 5C 006-63114 / RAK 5c006-63114First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | New Zealand | RAK RAK 297First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Portugal | RAK 8E 006 63114FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | South Africa | RAK RAKJ 1070First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | Spain | RAK 10C 006-063.115First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Sweden | RAK 7C 006-63114First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | RAK RAK 297First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | RAK RAK 297First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | UK | RAK RAK 297First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
14 vinyl pressings of Boy Oh Boy are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, Australia, Belgium, Germany and more. One of them is RAK RAK 297.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RAK 297, RAK-101, 4C 006-63 114, 1 C 006-63 114) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1 YRAK 297 A-4 N R and 2 YRAK 297 B-1U AA Ʊ. 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.
