Vinyl pressings
by Van Halen · 1979
Dance The Night Away was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
26 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 15 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.
WBS-8823 WCA-8490-S JW1 3 ( )Side A runout, etched, variant 1
WBS-8823 WCA-8485-S JW1 #1 ( )Side B runout, etched, variant 1
WBS-8823 WCA-8490-S JW1 #1 ( )Side A runout, etched, variant 2
WBS-8823 WCA-8485-S JW1 #2 ( )Side B runout, etched, variant 2
WBS-8823 WCA-8490-S P1 PRunout side A
WBS-8823 WCA-8485-S P1 PRunout side B
WCA 8490 SLabel side A
WCA 8485 SLabel side B
WBS-8823 WCA-8490-S M2 MR △105930Runout side A, etched
WBS-8823 WCA-8485-S M1 MR △105907Runout side B, etched
WCA 8490 SLabel side A
WCA 8485 SLabel side B
WBS-8823 WCA-8490-S WW1 ─◁Runout side A, etched
WBS-8823 WCA-8485-S WW1 ─◁Runout side B, etched
WCA 8490 SLabel side A
WCA 8485 SLabel side B
✲ ⥛ WBS-8823 WCA-8490-S LW1A runout
✲ ⥛ WBS-8823 WCA-8485-S LW1B runout
WCA 8490SA label
WCA 8485 SB label
WBS-8823 WCA-8490-DJ LW1• 1 ✲Side A runout
WBS-8823 WCA-8490-S LW1• ✲ 1Side B runout
WCA 8490Side A label
WCA 8490SSide B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8823First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 16.128First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8823First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8823First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | El Salvador | Warner Bros. Records CA - 10724First year7", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1979 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records W 17371First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records W 17371First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records W 17371First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-385WFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records WB 17371 / Warner Bros. Records WB.17.371First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8823First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Peru | Warner Bros. Records F-WBR 0008823.4First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1979 | Rhodesia | Warner Bros. Records WBS 313First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | South Africa | Warner Bros. Records WBS 313 / Warner Bros. Records FWB 0094First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records 45-1857 / Hispavox 45-1857 (SN)First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
30 vinyl pressings of Dance The Night Away are listed here, from 15 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Japan, Germany and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records WBS 8823.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WBS 8823, K 17371, WB 17 371, K17371P) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WBS-8823 WCA-8490-S JW1 3 ( ) and WBS-8823 WCA-8485-S JW1 #1 ( ). 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.
