Vinyl pressings
by Rod Stewart · 1977
I Was Only Joking was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1977, 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.
WBS-8568 VCA-7332V1-S SP-1Etched runout, side A
WBS-8568 VCA-7331·V1·S SP·1Etched runout, side B
VCA 7332 V1 SLabel matrix, side A
VCA 7331 V1 SLabel matrix, side B
VCA7332V1Side A Label
VCA7331V1Side B Label
WBS.8568 VCA.7332.V1.S PRC.I-1Runout A
WBS-8568 VCA-7331.V1.S PRC.I.1-1-11Runout B
(VCA 7332 VI S)Label A
(VCA 7331 VI S)Label B
WBS-8568 VCA-7332-V1-S WW-1A side, runout, etched (variant 1
WBS-8568 VCA-7331-V1-S WW-1B side, runout, etched (variant 1
WBS-8568 VCA-7332-V1-S WW-1 —◁A side, runout, etched (variant 2
WBS-8568 VCA-7331-V1-S WW-1 —◁B side, runout, etched (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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records WB 6865First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8568First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8568First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Colombia | Warner Bros. Records 23(1011)00015First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Colombia | Warner Bros. Records 23(1011)00015First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8568First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8568First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Philippines | Warner Bros. Records WB-77-88First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | South Africa | Warner Bros. Records WBS 265First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8568First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8568First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8568First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8568First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8568First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1977 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8568First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Warner Bros. Records GWB 03717", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
18 vinyl pressings of I Was Only Joking are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1977 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, Australia, Canada, Colombia and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records WBS 8568.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WBS 8568, WB 6865, 23(1011)00015, WB-77-88) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WBS-8568 VCA-7332V1-S SP-1 and WBS-8568 VCA-7331·V1·S SP·1. 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.
