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.
33 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 17 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.
ST-CO-36984-2 SP 1-3 ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Etched side A, variant 1
ST-CO-36227-2 SP 1-3 ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Etched side B, variant 1
ST-CO-36984-2 SP 1-1 ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Etched side A, variant 2
ST-CO-36227-2 SP 1-4 ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Etched side B, variant 2
ST-CO-36984-3 PRC ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Etched/stamped side A (Variant 1
ST-CO-36227-7 PRC ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Etched/stamped side B (Variant 1
ST-CO-36984-4 PRC ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Etched/stamped side A (Variant 2
ST-CO-36227-7-1-1 PRC ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Etched/stamped side B (Variant 2
ST-CO-36984-6 MR △105889 ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Etched/stamped side A
ST-CO-36227-5 MR ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. △105890Etched/stamped side B
ST-CO-36984 MOLabel side A
ST-CO-36227 MOLabel side B
CO-36984 RIA-side label
ST-CO-36984 RIB-side label
1-1 CO-36984-1 SP ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.A-side runout etching
1-1 ST-CO-36984-1 SP ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.B-side runout etching
CO 36984 SPMono label
ST CO 36984 SPStereo 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 | Argentina | Cotillion 200091First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Australia | Cotillion 45 44251First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Australia | Cotillion DSKO 706First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Brazil | Atlantic 10.103First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Canada | Cotillion COT 44251First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Canada | Cotillion COT 44251First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Chile | Cotillion 44251First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Germany | Cotillion COT 11 293First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Germany | Cotillion COT 11 293First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Jamaica | Cotillion 44251First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Jamaica | Cotillion 44251First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Japan | Atlantic P-442AFirst year7", 45 RPM, EP, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Atlantic 45 44251First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Atlantic 45 44251First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Peru | Atlantic F - ALT 0044251.4First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Cotillion 0-8647212", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | US | Addictive Vinyl ADDV 0512" | 12" |
38 vinyl pressings of We Are Family are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1979 and 2003.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Germany, Japan and more. One of them is Cotillion 44251, released April 17, 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 44251, K 11293 (T), K 11293, COT 11 293) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-CO-36984-2 SP 1-3 ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. and ST-CO-36227-2 SP 1-3 ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.. 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.
