Vinyl pressings
by Sparks · 1979
The Number One Song In Heaven 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.
17 pressings came out in 1979, 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.
VS-244.A-1 [Utopia lyre symbol] 50 ARunout side A, variant 1
VS .244-B5 [Utopia lyre symbol] ARunout side B, variant 1
VS-244.A-1 [Utopia lyre symbol] D ARunout side A, variant 2
VS .244-B5 [Utopia lyre symbol] ARunout side B, variant 2
VS-24412 A-1 ⋀ [Lyre symbol]Side A runout
VS 24412 B-1 BSide B runout
VS 24412-ASide A label
VS 24412-BSide B label
VS-244 A-1Side A
VS-244 B-3Side B
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 | Australia | Virgin X-13032 / Virgin VS-24412First year12", Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 12", Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1979 | Australia | Virgin K-7447First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Germany | Ariola 600 056 / Ariola 600 056-213First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Germany | Ariola 100 678 / Oasis 100 678First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Ireland | Virgin VS 244First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | Italy | Durium Marche Estere DE. 3077 / Durium DE 3077First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Italy | Durium Marche Estere DE. 3077 / Durium DE 3077First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Ariola 600.056First year12" | 12" |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Virgin VS 244First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS 244 / Virgin VS244First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS 244-12First year12" | 12" |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS 24412 / Virgin VS24412First year12", Single · Colored vinyl | 12", Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS 24412 / Virgin VS24412First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS 244First year7", Single · Colored vinyl | 7", Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS 244First year7", Single · Colored vinyl | 7", Single · Colored vinyl |
17 vinyl pressings of The Number One Song In Heaven are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, Australia, Germany, Ireland and more. One of them is Virgin VS 244, released February 23, 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS 244, VS 244-12, VS 24412, X-13032) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS-244.A-1 [Utopia lyre symbol] 50 A and VS .244-B5 [Utopia lyre symbol] A. 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.
