Vinyl pressings
by Richard Ace · 1978
Stayin' Alive was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. 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 1978, the album's first year, in 7 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.
S-8 INC 2-A E.G. ALLENRunout Side A etched, variant 1
S-12 INC 2-B E.G. ALLENRunout Side B etched, variant 1
S-15 INC 2-A E.G. ALLENRunout Side A, variant 2
S-18 INC 2-B E.G. ALLENRunout Side B, variant 2
INC-2-A E.G. D TY CSide A runout
INC 2B E.G. TY D CSide B runout
INC 2-ASide A label
INC 2-BSide B label
INC 2-A EG TYRunout side A
INC 2 B EG TYRunout side B
INC 2 ALabel side A
INC 2 BLabel side B
INC 2-A E.G. TYRunout side A
INC 2B E.G. TYRunout side B
A 11215Label side A
B 11215Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Belgium | Atlantic 11215First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Belgium | Atlantic 20127First year12" | 12" |
| 1978 | France | Atlantic 20 127First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | France | Atlantic 11215First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | France | Atlantic 20 12712", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1978 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 11 215First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Italy | Atlantic K 11215First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Jamaica | TR GroovemasterFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | UK | Blue Inc INC 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | Blue Inc INC 2First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | UK | Blue Inc INC 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Zambia | Atlantic INC 2First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Belgium | Atlantic 11215First year7", 45 RPM, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Misprint |
| 1978 | UK | Blue Inc INC 2First year12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Special Edition, Stereo · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Special Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1978 | Italy | Atlantic K 11215First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Jamaica | TR Groovemaster12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
16 vinyl pressings of Stayin' Alive are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, Belgium, France, Germany and more. One of them is Blue Inc INC 2, released November 17, 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use INC 2, 11215, 20127, 20 127) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S-8 INC 2-A E.G. ALLEN and S-12 INC 2-B E.G. ALLEN. 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.
