Vinyl pressings
by The Weather Girls · 1982
It's Raining Men was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
46 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 17 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.
XSS - 170296 - 1A JARunout side A, etched, variant 1
XSS - 170297 - 1B JARunout side B, etched, variant 1
XSS - 170296 - 1E JARunout side A, etched, variant 2
XSS - 170296 - 1F JARunout side B, etched, variant 2
ZSS-170294-1FA side runout etched - variant 1
ZSS-170295-1EB side runout etched - variant 1
ZSS-170294-1BA side runout etched - variant 2
ZSS-170295-1AB side runout etched - variant 2
XSS-170296 -1A Λ JA POA side runout - Variant 1
XSS-170297 -1A C JAB side runout - Variant 1
JA Po XSS-170296 -1AA side runout - Variant 2
JA P o XSS-170297 -1BB side runout - Variant 2
P XSS-170296 -1A JAA side runout, etched and stamped, variant 1
P XSS-170297 -1FB side runout, etched and stamped, variant 1
P o XSS-170296-1A JAA side runout, etched and stamped, variant 2
P XSS-170297-1A C JA oB side runout, etched and stamped, variant 2
XSS - 170296 - 1C JA T1Runout side A, etched
XSS - 170297 - 1D JA T1Runout side B, etched
XSS 170296Label side A
XSS 170297Label side B
o TI XSS-170296 - 1C Λ 2 JASide A runout
TI XSS-170297 -1D Λ 1 o JASide B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | CBS BA 223037First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Australia | CBS BA 223037First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Australia | CBS BA 223037First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Brazil | Discos CBS 43.538First year7", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1982 | Canada | Columbia 44-03181First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1982 | Canada | Columbia 38 03354First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Canada | Columbia 44 03181First year12" | 12" |
| 1982 | Costa Rica | CBS 7012912First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1982 | Europe | CBS CBSA 2924First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Europe | CBS CBSA 12-2924First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1982 | France | CBS CBS A2924 / CBS CBS A 2924First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | France | CBS CBSA 12-2924First year12", Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo | 12", Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Germany | CBS CBSA 2924First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Italy | CBS CBS A 2924First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Japan | CBS/Sony 07SP 686First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | UK & Europe | Columbia COL 671245 612", 45 RPM, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, Reissue |
62 vinyl pressings of It's Raining Men are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1982 and 2001.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is The Entertainment Company Records 44-03181.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 44-03181, 38-03354, CBS A2924, CBS A 13 2924) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XSS - 170296 - 1A JA and XSS - 170297 - 1B JA. 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.
