Vinyl pressings
by Sister Sledge · 1979
We Are Family 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.
42 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 24 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.
0-1 ST-CTN-784193-DVariant 1: Side A (Etched)
0-1 SM1-2 ST-CTN-784194-BVariant 1: Side B (Etched)
ST-CTN-784193-D 0-1 SM 1-1Variant 2: Side A (Etched)
0-1 SM 1-2 ST-CTN-784194-BVariant 2: Side B (Etched)
ST-CTN- 784193 - DDD ++-1 PRC (PR)Runout, etched, side A, variant 1
ST-CTN- 784194 - BBB ++-1 (PR) PRCRunout, etched, side B, variant 1
ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Runout, stamped, sides A & B, variant 1
ST-CTN- 784193 - DDD ++-1- IIIIII (PR) PRCRunout, etched, side A, variant 2
ST-CTN-784193-D (PR) P ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Side A, runout
ST-CTN-784194-B (PR) P ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Side B, runout
ST-CTN-784193-PRSide A, label
ST-CTN-784194-PRSide B, label
ST-CTN-784193-DD MR △24086 (9) (PR) B-153344Runout A, variant 1
ST-CTN-784194-BB MR △24086-X (PR) B-153354Runout B, variant 1
ST-CTN-784193-ARSide A label
ST-CTN-784194-ARSide B label
ST-CTN-784193-DD (MR) △24086 ⑤ (PR)Runout A, variant 1
ST-CTN-784194-BB (MR) △24086-X ⑤ ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. (PR)Runout B, variant 1
ST-CTN-784193-DD (MR) △24086 ⑩ ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. (PR)Runout A, variant 2
ST-CTN-784194-BB ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. (MR) △24086-X ⑧ (PR)Runout B, variant 2
K50587 A//1∇420 V 1 1 5Side A stamped
K50587 B//1∇420 V 1 1 1Side B stamped
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 | Argentina | Cotillion 208677First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Australia | Cotillion SD 5209First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Belgium | Cotillion COT 50 587 / Atlantic SD 5209First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Brazil | Atlantic 30.098First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Brazil | Atlantic 30.098First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Canada | Cotillion KSD 5209 / Atlantic KSD 5209First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Colombia | Cotillion 23(7231)00132First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Cotillion COT 50 587 / Cotillion SD 5209First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Cotillion COT 50 587 / Atlantic SD 5209First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Cotillion 30268 7 / Atlantic 30268 7LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1979 | Greece | Cotillion 50587First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Israel | Cotillion BAN 50587First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Italy | Cotillion W 50587First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Italy | Cotillion W 50587First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Japan | Atlantic P-10666AFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Benelux | Atlantic SD 5209 / Cotillion COT 50 587LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Cotillion K 50 587 / Cotillion COT 50 587LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Cotillion COT 50 587 / Cotillion SD 5209LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Cotillion COT 50 587 / Cotillion SD 5209LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Atlantic K 50 587 / Cotillion K 50587 (SD5209)LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Cotillion K 50 587 / Cotillion COT 50 587LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Cotillion K 50 587 / Cotillion COT 50 587LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Cotillion K 50 587 / Cotillion COT 50 587LP, Album | LP, Album |
56 vinyl pressings of We Are Family are listed here, from 27 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Philippines, Argentina and more. One of them is Cotillion SD 5209, released January 24, 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 5209, K50587, COT 50 587, K 50587) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 0-1 ST-CTN-784193-D and 0-1 SM1-2 ST-CTN-784194-B. 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.
