Vinyl pressings
by Stevie Wonder · 1984
Don't Drive Drunk was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 10 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.
TMG-1372.A2 1774 MFA ① Precision ΛA-side runout, etched
TMG-1372 B.1 1774 MFB ② PrecisionB-side runout, etched
TMG 1372 A*Label, A-side
TMG 1372 B*Label, B-side
TMGT 1372 A2 A 4527MG-A2 4 PrecisionRunout side A, variant 1
TMGT 1372 B2 A 4527MG-B2 2 PrecisionRunout side B, variant 1
TMGT1372. A1 4527MG-A2 4 Precision ARunout side A, variant 2
TMGT1372 B2 4527MG-B2 2 Precision ARunout side B, variant 2
TMGT 1372 A1 4527MG-A1 PrecisionRunout side A
TMGT 1372 B1 527MG-B1 PrecisionRunout side B
TMGT 1362 A1 Precision 4527 MG - A1 ⋀Side A runout
TMG 1372 B1 Precision 4527 MG - B1 ⋀Side B runout
TMG 1372 A.1 NICKZ PENTHOUSESide 0ne
TMG 1372 A.1 NICKZ PENTHOUSESide Two
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia & New Zealand | Motown 4527-MGFirst year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Canada | Motown M 1774XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Motown MD 4527First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1984 | France | Motown ZB 61564First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Germany | Motown ZB 69286First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Germany | Motown ZC 69287First year12", Maxi-Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1984 | Germany | Motown ZC-69 28712", Maxi-Single, 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", Maxi-Single, 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | Germany | Motown ZB 692867", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | Italy | Motown TMX 909First year12" | 12" |
| 1984 | Italy | Motown TMX 90912", Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Motown ZB-64356 / Motown ZB 64356First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Motown TMGT 1372First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Motown 1774 MFFirst year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Spain | Motown SPCO-60167First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Spain | Motown SPBO-60186First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Motown Y 685 F7", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
32 vinyl pressings of Don't Drive Drunk are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Australia & New Zealand, Canada and more. One of them is Motown TMG 1372, released December 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TMG 1372, TMGT 1372, 4527MG, 4527-MG) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TMG-1372.A2 1774 MFA ① Precision Λ and TMG-1372 B.1 1774 MFB ② Precision. 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.
