Vinyl pressings
by U2 · 1983
New Year's Day 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.
47 pressings came out in 1983, 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.
WIP 68481 A 1U - 1 - 2 - 11Variant 1, side A
WIP 68481 B 1U - 1 - 3 - 11Variant 1, side B
WIP 68481 A-1U-1- 2 - 2 1Variant 2, side A
WIP 68481 B-1U-1- 1 - 10Variant 2, side B
WIP 68481 A-1U-1-1-1Side A runout variant 1
WIP 68481 B-1U-1-2 CSide B runout variant 1
WIP 68482 A-1U-1-2 2Side C runout variant 1
WIP 68482 B-2U-1-1 0Side D runout variant 1
WIP 68481 A-1U-1-2-20Runout side A Variant 1
WIP 68481 B-1U-1- 3-31Runout side B Variant 1
WIP 68481 A-1U-1-1-36Runout side A Variant 2
WIP 68481 B-1U-1-1-21Runout side B Variant 2
12 WIP 6848 A-1U-1-2-Side A, stamped, variant 1
12 WIP 6848 B-1U-1-1-Side B, stamped, variant 1
12 WIP 6848 A-1U-1-3-00Side A, stamped, variant 2
12 WIP 6848 B-1U-1-1-40Side B, stamped, variant 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 | Island Records K-8983 / Island Records WIP 6848First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Canada | Island Records WIP 6848First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Canada | Island Records 79 99157First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Canada | Island Records 79 99157First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Europe | Island Records 105 107 / Island Records 105 107-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | France | Island Records 6863 227First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Guatemala | Island Records ISD 109First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Guatemala | Island Records ISD 109First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Ireland | CBS CBS A 12/3105First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Ireland | CBS CBS A 12/3105First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Ireland | CBS CBS A 31057", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1983 | Italy | Island Records WIP 26848First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Japan | Island Records 18S-183 / Polystar 18S-183First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Mexico | Ariola SP-58First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Island Records 105.000First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Europe | Island Records 600 741 / Island Records 600.74112", 45 RPM, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| 1992 | Europe | Island Records 600 74112", 45 RPM, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Netherlands | Island Records 600.74112", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| ? | UK | Island Records WIP 68487", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
69 vinyl pressings of New Year's Day are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1983 and 1992.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, France, Ireland and more. One of them is Island Records WIP 6848, released January 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WIP 6848, UWIP 6848, 12 WIP 6848, 12WIP 6848) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WIP 68481 A 1U - 1 - 2 - 11 and WIP 68481 B 1U - 1 - 3 - 11. 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.
