Vinyl pressings
by The Weather Girls · 1983
Success was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. 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 1983, the album's first year, in 11 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.
G 2 o AL-38997-1C C 11Side A runout, variant 1
o G1 BL-38997 -10 A9 JaSide B runout, variant 1
G 2 o AL-38997-1C C 1Side A runout, variant 2
o G 2 BL-38997-1C STERLING A 4Side B runout, variant 2
P [o] AL-38997-1A [STERLING]A side runout, etched, [stamped]
P [o] BL-38997 -1A ✩[STERLING]B side runout, etched, [stamped]
CBS - 25719 - A1Label Side A
CBS - 25719 - B1Label Side B
AL-38997-1A2HZRunout Side A, variant 1
BL-38997 1A2HZRunout Side B, variant 1
AL-38997-1A2HZ DM-3Runout Side A, variant 2
BL-38997 1A2HZ DM-3Runout Side B, variant 2
MX203581Side 1
MX203582Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | CBS SBP 237973First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | CBS 25719 / CBS CBS 25719First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Greece | CBS CBS 25719First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1983 | Japan | CBS/Sony 20AP 2688First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | South Africa | Columbia ASF 2923First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Spain | CBS S 25719First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Spain | CBS S 25719First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | UK | CBS CBS 25719First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | UK & Ireland | CBS 25719First yearLP | LP |
| 1983 | US | Columbia BFC 38997 / The Entertainment Company Records BFC 38997First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Columbia PC 38997First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Columbia BFC 38997 / The Entertainment Company Records BFC 38997First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Venezuela | CBS CS-10472First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Columbia FC 38997 / The Entertainment Company Records FC 38997First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | CBS 25719 / CBS CBS 25719LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
15 vinyl pressings of Success are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia BFC 38997.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BFC 38997, PC 38997, CBS 25719, FC 38997) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, G 2 o AL-38997-1C C 11 and o G1 BL-38997 -10 A9 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.
