Vinyl pressings
by The Four Seasons · 1976
We Can Work It Out was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 6 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.
WEA WB 6689 A PF 16845-A Manufactured in GermanyRunout side A
WEA WB 6689 B PF 16845-B Manufactured in GermanyRunout side B
WB 6689-ALabel side A
WB 6689-BLabel side B
K-16845-A1 ARONRunout Side A
K-16845-B1 17Runout Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records WB 6689First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Barbados | Warner Bros. Records WB 6689First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 16845 / Warner Bros. Records WB 16 845First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records WB 16845First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records WB 16845First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1976 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records WB 6689First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 16845First year7" | 7" |
| 1976 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 16845First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 16845First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1976 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 16845First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 16845First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Spain | Hispavox 45-14417", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | South Africa | Warner Bros. Records WBS 2267", Single | 7", Single |
13 vinyl pressings of We Can Work It Out are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1976 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in Germany, UK, Australia, Barbados and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records WB 16845.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WB 16845, K 16845, WB 6689) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WEA WB 6689 A PF 16845-A Manufactured in Germany and WEA WB 6689 B PF 16845-B Manufactured in Germany. 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.
