Vinyl pressings
by Todd Rundgren · 1978
Can We Still Be Friends was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 7 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.
BSS-0324-VNY-1500-S - JW1 #2 STERLING JS 0Runout side A, variant 1
BSS-0324-VNY-1495-S- JW1 #2 0Runout side B, variant 1
BSS-0324-VNY-1500-S - JW1 #2 STERLING JS 0Runout side A, variant 2
BSS-0324-VNY-1498-S- JW1 #1 STERLING JS 0Runout side B, variant 2
BSS-0324-VNY-1500-S-LW1. 1 ✲ STERLING JSSide A runout
BSS-0324-VNY-1495-S-LW. 1 ✲ STERLINGSide B runout
VNY 1500 SSide A label
VNY 1495 SSide B label
BSS-0324-VNY-1500-S-WW1Side A - Etched
BSS-0324-VNY-1495-S-WW#2Side B - Etched
STERLINGSides A & B - Stamped
(VN1500)SLabel (Side A)
K 15539 A1 ALLEN ARunout etched A side
K 15539 B1 ALLEN ARunout etched B side
MX185827Label Side A
MX185828Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Brazil | Bearsville BBS 23001First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Canada | Bearsville BSS 0324First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Canada | Bearsville BSS 0324First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Canada | Bearsville BSS 0324First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Bearsville BSS 0324First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Bearsville BSS 0324First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Philippines | Warner Bros. Records WB-77-119 / Warner Bros. Records BSS 0324First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Bearsville K 15539First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | US | Bearsville BSS 0324First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | US | Bearsville BSS 0324First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1978 | US | Bearsville BSS 0324First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | US | Bearsville BSS 0324First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Australia | Bearsville BSS 0324First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Guardian Records S7-7243819726707", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox |
14 vinyl pressings of Can We Still Be Friends are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Bearsville BSS 0324, released April 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BSS 0324, K 15539, BBS 23001, WB-77-119) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BSS-0324-VNY-1500-S - JW1 #2 STERLING JS 0 and BSS-0324-VNY-1495-S- JW1 #2 0. 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.
