Vinyl pressings
by Rick Astley · 1987
Whenever You Need Somebody was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 14 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.
6822-1-R A1 MASTERDISK A-1 ᐉSide A runout etched, MASTERDISK & ᐉ stamped [variant 1]
6822-1-R-B1 MASTERDISK A-1 ᐉSide B runout etched, MASTERDISK & ᐉ stamped [variant 1]
6822-1-R-A1 MASTERDISK A-6 ᐉSide A runout etched, MASTERDISK & ᐉ stamped [variant 2]
6822-1-R-B 1 MASTERDISK I̷ ̷Λ1 IMPT-1ᐉSide B runout etched, MASTERDISK & Λ1 & ᐉ stamped [variant 2]
6822-1RA-4 1-1 SRC symbolSide A
6822-1RB-3 1-1 SRC symbolSide B
MASTERDISKStamped
C-0104 A-1 Noel 020Runout, side A, variant 1
C-0104 B-3 020Runout, side B, variant 1
C-0104 A-3 Noel 020Runout, side A, variant 2
C-0104 B-3 020Runout, side B, variant 2
VPL1 7625 A-2Side A runout, variant 1
VPL1 7625 B-3 PLSide B runout, variant 1
VPL1 7625 X ASide A runout, variant 2
VPL1 V625 BSide A runout, variant 2
PL.71529.A.1 8.12.87Side 1
PL.71529.B.1 8.12.87
PL.71529.A.1 8.12.87Side A
PL.71529.B.1 8.12.87Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Canada | RCA Victor 6822-1-RFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | RCA PL71529 / RCA PL 71529First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | RCA PL71628 / RCA PB 41567 PFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc, Stereo, All Media, Limited Edition · Limited, Picture disc | LP, Album, Stereo, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc, Stereo, All Media, Limited Edition · Limited, Picture disc |
| 1987 | Europe | RCA PL71529 / RCA PL 71529First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | RCA PL71529LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1987 | Germany | RCA 15 322-1LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | Greece | RCA Victor RCLP 70074First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Ireland | PWL Records PL 71529First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Israel | RCA Victor PL 71529 / RCA PL 71529First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Israel | RCA Victor PL 71529 / RCA PL 71529First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1987 | Italy | RCA PL 71529First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Italy | RCA PL 71529First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Jamaica | RCA 68221RFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Philippines | RCA RCALP-31154 / RCA Victor PL 71932First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | RCA PL 71529First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Worldwide | BMG BMGCAT562LPLP, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 2022 | Worldwide | BMG BMGCAT562LP / PWL Records BMGCAT562LPLP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2022 | Worldwide | BMG BMGCAT730LP / PWL Records BMGCAT730LPLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Taiwan | 雅音 AR-5245LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
46 vinyl pressings of Whenever You Need Somebody are listed here, from 31 countries, released between 1987 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, Europe, Australasia, Portugal and more. One of them is RCA Victor 6822-1-R.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6822-1-R, PL71529, VPL1 7625, PL 71529) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 6822-1-R A1 MASTERDISK A-1 ᐉ and 6822-1-R-B1 MASTERDISK A-1 ᐉ. 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.
