Vinyl pressings
by Robert Palmer · 1979
Can We Still Be Friends 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.
11 pressings came out in 1979, 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.
100896 A-1/79S Made in GermanyRunout stamped side A
100896 B-1/79S Made in GermanyRunout stamped side B
S 100.896 ALabel side A
S 100.896 BLabel side B
100896 A-1/79S Made in GermanyRunout stamped side A
100896 B-1/79S Made in GermanyRunout stamped side B
100896 A-1/79S Made in GermanyRunout side A
100896 B-1/79S Made in GermanyRunout side B
S 100.896 ALabel side A
S 100.896 BLabel side B
XAA 8883 SSide A Labe
XAA 8891 SSide B Labe
IS 49137-YAA-8883-S-SR1 SP [STERLING] 1-1Side A Runout, etched [stamped]
IS 49137-YAA-2291-S-SR-1 SP [STERLING] 1-1Side B Runout, etched [stamped]
IS 49137-XAA-8883-S-JW1 0 [STERLING]Side A Runout, etched [stamped]
IS 49137-XAA-8891-S-JW1 [STERLING] 0Side B Runout, etched [stamped]
XAA 8883 SSide A Label
XAA 8891 SSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Brazil | Island Records 102056First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | Canada | Island Records IS 49137First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Canada | Island Records IS 49137First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Island Records 100 896 / Island Records 100.896First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Island Records 100 896 / Island Records 100.896First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Island Records 100 896 / Island Records 100.896First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | Island Records WIP 6549First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Island Records WIP 6549First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Island Records IS 49137First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | US | Island Records IS 49137First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1979 | US | Island Records IS 49137First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Japan | Island Records ILR 206647", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
12 vinyl pressings of Can We Still Be Friends are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in Netherlands, UK, US, Brazil and more. One of them is Island Records 100 896.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 100 896, WIP 6549, IS 49137, 102056) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 100896 A-1/79S Made in Germany and 100896 B-1/79S Made in Germany. 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.
