Vinyl pressings
by USA For Africa · 1985
We Are The World was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
64 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 29 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.
ZSS-173351-1AK ⁀⁀ ⁀⁀ G1Side A Etched, Variant 1
ZSS-173352-1H G1Side B Etched, Variant 1
ZSS-173351-1AC G1 B6Side A Etched, Variant 2
ZSS-173352-1AB G3Side B Etched, Variant 2
ZSS-173351-1AE PSide A runout (variant 1)
ZSS-173352-1A PSide B runout (variant 1)
ZSS 173351-1C PSide A runout (variant 2)
ZSS-173352-1C /\Side B runout (variant 2)
XSS-173353-2E P "T"Variant 1, Side A Etched
XSS-173354-1F P AVariant 1, Side B Etched
XSS-173354-2A-1FVariant 1, Side B Crossed Out
XSS-173353-2E P "T"Variant 2, Side A Etched
XSS-173353-2C G1 A6Etched, Runout Side A (Variant 1)
XSS-173354-1E D G1 E6Etched, Runout Side B (Variant 1)
XSS-173353-2A G1 A7Etched, Runout Side A (Variant 2)
XSS-173354-1E M G1 D4Etched, Runout Side B (Variant 2)
ZSS 173351-1E G1Side A Runout Etched
ZSS 173352-1D G1Side B Runout Etched
XSS-173353-2AB ❀ D G1 B6Runout Side A, etched, except D
XSS-173354-1D M G1 D13Runout Side B, etched, except M
XSS-173353-2AC ❀ G1 A 5Runout Side A, etched (variant)
XSS-173354-1K G1 A1Runout Side B, etched (variant)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Argentina | Columbia DEP 389First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | Australia | CBS BA 12117First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1985 | Australia | CBS BA3275First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Australia | CBS BA 3275First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Australia | CBS BA12117First year12", Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | Bolivia | Discos CBS S 30501First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Brazil | CBS 51.084First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Columbia 7BEN 04839First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Costa Rica | CBS US2-05179First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Ecuador | CBS Columbia 133-0105First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS CBSA 6112 / CBS A 6112First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS CBS A 6112 / CBS A 6112First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS A 6112 / CBS CBSA 6112First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS CBSA 6112 / CBS A 6112First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | France | CBS A 6112First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
65 vinyl pressings of We Are The World are listed here, from 29 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Columbia US7-04839, released March 7, 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use US7-04839, US2 05179, US2-05179, USAIDT1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSS-173351-1AK ⁀⁀ ⁀⁀ G1 and ZSS-173352-1H G1. 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.
