Vinyl pressings
by Tiffany · 1987
Could've Been was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. 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 1987, the album's first year, in 10 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.
MC-24516R-FDS-4 ◈-P-◈Side A, Runout, Variant 1, etched.
MC-24517-FDS-4 ◈-P-◈Side B, Runout, Variant 1, etched.
MC24516RLabel side A
MC24517Label side B
MC-24516R-FDS-2 ⧈-G-⧈Runout side A, variant 1
MC-24517-FDS-2 ⧈-G-⧈ 3Runout side B, variant 1
MC-24516R-FDS-2 ⧈-G-⧈ 4Runout side A, variant 2
MC-24517-FDS-2 ⧈-G-⧈ 2Runout side B, variant 2
MC24516R-FDS-1 24516 MCA 523231A CR ⧈-G-⧈Runout side A
MC24517-FDS-1 MCA 523231B CR ⧈-G-⧈Runout side B
MC-24516R-FDS-1 24516 MCA 53231 A ▣-G-▣ CRRunout Side A
MC-24517-FDS-1 MCA 53231 B ▣-G-▣ CRRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-53231First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-53231First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Europe | MCA Records 258 081-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | France | MCA Records 258 081-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Italy | MCA Records 258 081-7 / MCA Records 25 8081-7First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1987 | Jamaica | MCA Records MCA-53231First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Philippines | MCA Records MCA-45-7072First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Philippines | MCA Records MCA-53231First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | South Africa | MCA Records LMCS 53231First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1987 | Spain | MCA Records 912First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | UK | MCA Records TIFF 2First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1987 | US | MCA Records MCA-53231First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1987 | US | MCA Records MCA-53231First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | US | MCA Records MCA-53231First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-532317", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
29 vinyl pressings of Could've Been are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1987 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, UK, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-53231.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-53231, TIFF 2, 258 081-7, MCA-45-7072) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MC-24516R-FDS-4 ◈-P-◈ and MC-24517-FDS-4 ◈-P-◈. 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.
