Vinyl pressings
by Van Halen · 1986
Why Can't This Be Love was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
45 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 19 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.
7-28740-RE1-A-SR3 [SRC logo] 1-1Runout side A, etched, variant 1
7-28740-B-SR1 1-2 [SRC logo]Runout side B, etched, variant 1
7-28740-A-RE1-SR1 1-2Runout Side A, etched, variant 2
7-28740-B-SR2 1-1Runout Side B, etched, variant 2
7-21973 / 7 - 28426 SR1 1-1 SRC (logo)side 1
7-21973 / 7 - 28746 SR1 1-2 SRC (logo)side 2
7-28740-RE1-A-SH1 O R-15437-ReI-SHI Δ11763 1-Runout side A, etched
7-28740-B-SH1 O R-15438-SHI Δ11763 1-1Runout side B, etched
7-28740-AA-Side Label
7-28740-BB-Side Label
PRO-A1-2453-RE1-SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-22769-Re1-SH1 △ 11765 1-1Side A runout
PRO-A2-2453-RE1-SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-22770-Re1-SH1 △ 11765-X 1-1Side B runout
7-28740-A-RE1-SH2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-15437-Re1-SH1 △11763 1-1Side A runout
7-28740-A-RE1-SH2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-15437-Re1-SH2 △11763 1-1Side AA runout
7-28740-ALabel, both sides
W.8740(T).A-I 1 MT. DAMONTRunout side A
W.8740(T).B2 1 MT. DAMONTRunout side B
W8740(T) ALabel side A
W8740(T) BLabel side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia & New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records 7-28740First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Benelux | Warner Bros. Records 928 740-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 87407First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 87407First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 87407First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Ecuador | Warner Bros. Records 45-80121First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Ecuador | Warner Bros. Records 45-80121First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 928 740-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 920 463-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 928 740-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 920 463-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | France | Warner Bros. Records 928 740-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Guatemala | Warner Bros. Records 7-28740First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Ireland | Warner Bros. Records W8740 / Warner Bros. Records 928740-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records 92 8740-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
45 vinyl pressings of Why Can't This Be Love are listed here, from 19 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records 7-28740.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7-28740, 7-21973, PRO-A-2453, W8740T) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7-28740-RE1-A-SR3 [SRC logo] 1-1 and 7-28740-B-SR1 1-2 [SRC logo]. 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.
