Vinyl pressings
by Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers · 1981
The Waiting was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
MC-11007-SS3 PLAY THIS LOUD ◈-P-◈ STERLING gcRun-out A, etched (STERLING ◈-P-◈ stamps)
MC-11458-SS4 ◈-P-◈ STERLING gcRun-out B, etched (STERLING ◈-P-◈ stamps)
MC-11007-SS3 PLAY THIS LOUD ◈-P-◈ 1 STERLING gcSide A etched, STERLING & ◈-P-◈ stamped
MC-11458-SS3 ◈-P-◈ 1 STERLING gcSide B etched, STERLING & ◈-P-◈ stamped
MC-11007-SS5 1 STERLING gc PLAY THIS LOUD ⧈-G-⧈Runout A etched
MC-11458-SS3 1 STERLING gc ◈-P-◈IIIRunout B etched
MC 11007Label A
MC 11458Label B
MC-11007-SS2 PLAY THIS LOUD glA-Side Runout (Etched)
MC-11458-SS-2 glB-Side Runout (Etched)
□-G-□Both Sides (Stamped)
MC 11007A-Side Label
MC-11007-SS2 ⧈-G-⧈ PLAY THIS LOUD 1 STERLING gcRunout A etched/stamped
MC-11458-SS5 ⧈-G-⧈ 1 STERLING gcRunout B etched/stamped
MC 11007Label A
MC 11458Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Argentina | MCA Records 9303First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Australia | MCA Records BSR 51100First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Australia | MCA Records BSR 51100 / Backstreet Records BSR 51100First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Brazil | MCA Records 103 159 / Backstreet Records 103 159First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Canada | Backstreet Records BSR-51100First year7" | 7" |
| 1981 | Canada | Backstreet Records BSR-51100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Canada | Backstreet Records BSR-51100First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Ecuador | MCA Records 45-33530First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | France | MCA Records 103159 / Backstreet Records 103159First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Germany | MCA Records 103 159 / MCA Records 103 159 - 100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Italy | MCA Records MCAN 6997", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | Italy | MCA Records MCAN 699First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | Backstreet Records VIMX-1518First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | Japan | Backstreet Records VIMX-1518First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Mexico | MCA Records S-556First year7", Single | 7", Single |
29 vinyl pressings of The Waiting are listed here, from 17 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Backstreet Records BSR-51100, released April 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BSR-51100, MCA2591, MCA 699, BSR 51100) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MC-11007-SS3 PLAY THIS LOUD ◈-P-◈ STERLING gc and MC-11458-SS4 ◈-P-◈ STERLING gc. 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.
