Vinyl pressings
by Sarah Vaughan · 1955
Whatever Lola Wants / Oh Yeah was first pressed on vinyl in 1955. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1955, the album's first year, in 2 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.
YWF-11265-4 AεA RSide A runout, stamped, variant 1
YWF-10794-4 ALC RSide B runout, stamped, variant 1
YWF-11265-4 ALA RSide A runout, stamped, variant 2
YWF-10794-4 ALCSide B runout, stamped, variant 2
YW11265-4 A1AA-side deadwax, variant 1
YW10794-4 A1CB-side deadwax, variant 1
YW7 11265A-side deadwax, variant 2
YW7-10794B-side deadwax, variant 2
YW 11265 2F FIA side runout
YW 10794 2FB side runout
YW11265A side label
YW10794B side label
YB 11265 2F 2 FIA runout
YB 10794 2F IB runout
YB11265A label
YB10794B label
YBF-11265 ̷3̷ 4 A⁴D RA runout
YBF-10794 AϛB RB runout
YB11265A label
YB10794B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Canada | Mercury 70595First year10", 78 RPM | 10", 78 RPM |
| 1955 | Canada | Mercury 70595-X45First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1955 | US | Mercury 70595X45First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1955 | US | Mercury 70595-X45First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1955 | US | Mercury 70595First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1955 | US | Mercury 70595First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1955 | US | Mercury 70595First yearShellac, 10", 78 RPM | Shellac, 10", 78 RPM |
| 1955 | US | Mercury 70595X45First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1955 | US | Mercury 70595-X45First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Esquire Mercury 452137", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | France | Mercury MM 100707", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
11 vinyl pressings of Whatever Lola Wants / Oh Yeah are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1955, in US, Canada. One of them is Mercury 70595-X45, released April 1955.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 70595-X45, 70595X45, 70595) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, YWF-11265-4 AεA R and YWF-10794-4 ALC R. 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.
