Vinyl pressings
by The Cars · 1984
Hello Again 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.
18 pressings came out in 1984, 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.
R/S Alsdorf 969681-7 A BE [SRC logo] STE-69681-A-2 SP-GER 26 STERLINGRunout A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 969681-7 B2Runout B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 969681-7 Axx D [SRC logo] STE-69681-A-2 21-2 SP-GER STERLINGRunout A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 969681-7 B2 19Runout B, variant 2
[SRC logo] STE-69681-A-2 STERLINGVariant 1: Etched side A, (SRC logo & STERLING stamps)
[SRC logo] STE-69681-B-1 -2 STERLINGVariant 1: Etched side B, (SRC logo & STERLING stamps)
[SRC logo] STE-69681-A-2 1-1 STERLINGVariant 2: Etched side A, (SRC logo & STERLING stamps)
[SRC logo] STE-69681-B-2 1-4 STERLINGVariant 2: Etched side B, (SRC logo & STERLING stamps)
STE-69681-A-3 [Allied stamp] R-13559-3 STERLING[stamped] ∆8131 1-1A Side Runout
STE-69681-B-3 [Allied stamp] R-13566-B3 SLM ∆ 8131-X 1-1 STERLING[stamped]B Side Runout
ST-E-69681-A-ARA Side Label
ST-E-69681-B-ARB Side Label
ST-ED-66929-A1Runout etched side A
STERLINGStamped A and B
ST-ED-1-166929BRunout etched side B
ST-ED-5014-A-1 1-2 ST-ED-66929-A1 [SRC logo] STERLINGA side runout
ST-ED-5014-b-1 ST-ED-66929-B-1 [SRC logo] STERLINGB side runout
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 | Elektra 7-69681First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Australia | Elektra 0-66929First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Australia | Elektra 7-69681First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Elektra 96 69290First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1984 | Canada | Elektra 96 96817First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Elektra 96 96817First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Europe | Elektra 969 681-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | Elektra 966 929-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Italy | Elektra 96 6929-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Spain | Elektra 96 9681-7 / Elektra S 969681-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | US | Elektra ED 5014First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Elektra 0-66929First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1984 | US | Elektra 7-69681First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Elektra 7-69681First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1984 | US | Elektra 0-66929First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
22 vinyl pressings of Hello Again are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in Europe, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Elektra 969 681-7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 969 681-7, 7-69681, 0-66929, ED 5014) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R/S Alsdorf 969681-7 A BE [SRC logo] STE-69681-A-2 SP-GER 26 STERLING and R/S Alsdorf 969681-7 B2. 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.
