Vinyl pressings
by Starship · 1985
We Built This City was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
47 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 21 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.
A1 FB-14170-D-5S SLM Δ 10410 Precision SM IRunout side A, etched (variation 1)
A1 FB-14170-B-6 Precision SM IRunout side B, etched (variation 1)
A1 FB-14170-D-75 Precision SM IRunout side A, etched (variation 2)
A1 FB-14170-B-25 SLM Δ 10392 - X Precision SM 1-1 IRunout side B, etched (variation 2)
FB-14170-D-5S SLM Δ 10410 1-1 Precision SMRunout side A
FB-14170-B-5S SLM Δ 10392-X Precision SM 1-1Runout side B
FB-14170-DLabel side A
FB-14170-BLabel side B
I A3 H FW-14226-A-1S Precision SMSide A, runout, variant 1
I A1 L FW-14226-B-1S Precision SMSide B, runout, variant 1
I 13 FW-14226-A-IS Precision SMSide A, runout, variant 2
I A1 FW-14226-B-IS Precision SMSide B, runout, variant 2
ELA-Δ 110293X FB-14170-▒- D-4S SLM Δ10410 1-1 Precision SMRunout side A, etched
ELA-Δ 110293X FB-14170-▒- D-4S SLM Δ10392-X Precision SM 1-1Runout side B, etched
FB-14170-DLabel side A
FB-14170-BLabel side B
ELA- △ 110293 FB-14170-A-3S SLM △10393- 1-1 Precision SMRunout A etched
A1 ELA - △ 110293 FB-14170-C1S SLM △10392 Precision SM 1-1Runout B etched (A1 stamp)
FB-14170-ALabel A
FB-14170-CLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | RCA 104471 / Grunt 104471First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Australia & New Zealand | RCA TDS 297 / RCA TDS-297First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Grunt FB-14170First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Grunt FB-14170First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Ecuador | RCA 123-1091First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | El Salvador | RCA RUS-119First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Europe | Grunt FT49930 / Grunt FT 49930First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Grunt FB49929 / RCA FB 49929First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Grunt FT49930 / Grunt FT 49930First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Grunt FT49930 / Grunt FT 49930First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Europe | Grunt FT49930 / Grunt FT 49930First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Ireland | RCA FB 49929First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Italy | Grunt FB 49929First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Mexico | RCA RX-217First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | New Zealand | RCA 104471First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | UK | Djinthemix DMX01012", Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2003 | UK | Djinthemix DMX01012", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | US | Grunt R1 725349-B7", Single · Colored vinyl | 7", Single · Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | Europe | Rhino Records RSD172734112", 33 ⅓ RPM, Record Store Day, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Record Store Day, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 2026 | US | Rhino Records RHI-78051112", 33 ⅓ RPM, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
54 vinyl pressings of We Built This City are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1985 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Europe, Australia and more. One of them is Grunt FB-14170, released August 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FB-14170, FW-14226, 5180-7-G, JB 14170) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A1 FB-14170-D-5S SLM Δ 10410 Precision SM I and A1 FB-14170-B-6 Precision SM I. 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.
