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.
40 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 31 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.
PAL 40043-1AD P-APRunout side A, variant 1
PBL 40043-1AN P-APRunout side B, variant 1
P (T) PAL 40043-1BRunout side A, variant 2
P-AP PBL 40043-1ADRunout side B, variant 2
PAL 40043-IAF D G1 BIIRunout Side A
PBL 40043-IH D GRunout Side B
PAL 40043-IAC G1 C2Runout Side A, variant 1
PBL 40043-IH D G1Runout Side B, variant 1
PAL 40043-1AD P-AP ARunout side A, variant 1
PBL 40043-1̶H̶ -1AH P AP oRunout side B, variant 1
PAL 40043-1AD A P-AP oRunout side A, variant 2
PBL 40043-1̶J̶ 1AJ D P.AP oRunout side B, variant 2
PAL 40043-1BA G1Runout side A, variant 1
PBL 40043-1AG G1Runout side B, variant 1
PAL 40043-1BA G1 A3Runout side A, variant 2
PBL 40043-1AG G1 G8Runout side B, variant 2
USAID F1-A1A-side runout, variant 1
USAID F1-B1B-side runout, variant 1
USAID F1-A1 AA-side runout, variant 2
USAID F1-B1 AB-side runout, variant 2
AL-40043 - 1A-2GZ ② DM-4Runout side A, variant 1
BL-40043 - 1A-2GZ DM- 11Runout side B, variant 1
AL-40043 - 1A-2GZ DM-13Runout side A, variant 2
BL-40043 - 1A-2GZ DM- 8Runout side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Argentina | Discos CBS 120.624 / Columbia 120.624First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Argentina | Columbia 120.624 / CBS 120.624First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Australia | CBS SBP 8061First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Australia | CBS SBP 8061First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Brazil | CBS 230501 / Discos CBS 230501First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Brazil | CBS 230501 / Discos CBS 230.501First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Colombia | Columbia 11141810First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Costa Rica | CBS 1100868First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Ecuador | CBS 333-0068First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS CBS 26454 / CBS 26454First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS CBS 26454LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | Greece | CBS 26454First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony CYA 1055First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | India | CBS CBS 10146First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Ireland | CBS USAID F1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Colombia | CBS 11141810LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Mozambique | CBS JDB 3070LP, Album | LP, Album |
44 vinyl pressings of We Are The World are listed here, from 33 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Canada, Japan and more. One of them is Columbia USA 40043, released April 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use USA 40043, USAID F1, BEN 40043, 28AP 3020) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL 40043-1AD P-AP and PBL 40043-1AN P-AP. 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.
