Vinyl pressings
by Stevie Wonder · 1980
Happy Birthday was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 4 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 1235 A - 3U STRAWBERRYA Side Runout, Variation 1
TMG 1235 B - 1U STRAWBERRYB Side Runout, Variation 1
TMG 1235 A - 4U STRAWBERRYA Side Runout, Variation 2
TMG 1235 B - 2U STRAWBERRYB Side Runout, Variation 2
STRAWBERRY TMG 1235 A-4USide A Runout Stamped
STRAWBERRY TMG 1235 B-2USide B Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Ireland | Motown TMG 1235First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Italy | Motown 3C 006-64490First yearSingle, 7" | Single, 7" |
| 1980 | Portugal | IMAVOX IM-26031First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | UK | Motown TMG 1235First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Unknown | Motown TMS 5667", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Argentina | Motown 93197", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | Australia | Motown T 543317", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | France | Motown 101531 / Vogue 1015317", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | Motown VIPX-15987", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Japan | Motown VIPX-15987", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | Mexico | Motown TM-1312", Maxi-Single · Colored vinyl | 12", Maxi-Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Motown TMM 9977", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Peru | Motown 0001001.47", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | South Africa | Motown TMS 5667", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Motown 12 TMG 123512", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Italy | Not On Label HAPPY00112", Single Sided, Unofficial Release, White Label · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 12", Single Sided, Unofficial Release, White Label · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Not On Label SWH-0712", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| ? | UK | Motown TMGLTD 0212", Limited Edition, Unofficial Release, 45 RPM · Unofficial, Limited | 12", Limited Edition, Unofficial Release, 45 RPM · Unofficial, Limited |
25 vinyl pressings of Happy Birthday are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1980 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Ireland, Italy, Portugal. One of them is Motown TMG 1235.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TMG 1235, 3C 006-64490, IM-26031) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TMG 1235 A - 3U STRAWBERRY and TMG 1235 B - 1U STRAWBERRY. 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.
