Vinyl pressings
by The Danse Society · 1984
Heaven Is Waiting 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.
14 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 9 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.
020 205972 A-1Runout side A, variant 1
0̶0̶5̶ 205972 B-1 Made in Germany ̶M̶a̶d̶e̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶G̶e̶r̶m̶a̶n̶y̶Runout side B, variant 1
020 205972 A-1Runout side A, variant 2
020 205972 B-1 Made in GermanyRunout side B, variant 2
020 205972 A-1 Made in GermanyRunout side A
020 205972 B-1 Made in GermanyRunout side B
020 205972 A-1
020 205972 B-1 Made in Germany
[etched] AL8 . 8218 . SA [stamped] MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORKRunout area side A
[etched] AL8 . 8218 . SBRunout area side B
AL 8-8218-SALabel side A
AL 8-8218-SBLabel side B
AL8 · 8218 · SA 1 1A A MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK ¢Runout side A, variant 1
AL8 · 8218 · SB 1Runout side B, variant 1
AL8.8218.SA 1 I A1C MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK ¢Runout side A, variant 2
AL.8.8218.SB 1 I A1CRunout side B, variant 2
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 | Canada | Arista AL 8-8218First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | Arista 205 972 / Society Records 205 972First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | Arista 205 972 / Society Records 205 972First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | Arista 205 972 / Society Records 205 972First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Greece | Arista 818908-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Greece | Arista 205 972 / Polygram 818908-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1984 | Japan | Society Records VIL-6099First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | Japan | Society Records VIL-6099First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Arista ARI 90094 / Society Records 205 972First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Scandinavia | Arista ARI 90094First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Spain | Arista 1-205972First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | Arista AL 8-8218First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | Arista AL 8-8218 / Arista AL8-8218First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Portugal | Dacapo 03.205972.32First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | UK | Great Expectations PIP LP 024LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Italy | Spittle Records Spittle100LP / Society Records SOC52021LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl |
16 vinyl pressings of Heaven Is Waiting are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1984 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in Europe, US, Portugal, Canada and more. One of them is Arista 205 972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 205 972, AL 8-8218, 03.205972.32, 818908-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 020 205972 A-1 and 0̶0̶5̶ 205972 B-1 Made in Germany ̶M̶a̶d̶e̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶G̶e̶r̶m̶a̶n̶y̶. 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.
