Vinyl pressings
by War · 1975
Why Can't We Be Friends? was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. 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 1975, the album's first year, in 20 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.
T UAST 15502 A3Side A Runout Etching, variant 1
T UAST 15503 A3Side B Runout Etching, variant 1
T UAST 15502 AB 2Side A Runout Etching, variant 2
T UAST 15503 ABSide B Runout Etching, variant 2
P UAST 15502 AB 5Run-out Side A
P UAST 15503 AB 5Run-out Side B
UAST-15502Label Side A
UAST-15503Label Side B
UAST 15502 A35A-Side Runout Etching
UAST 15503 A36B-Side Runout Etching
(UAST-15502)Side A Label
(UAST-15503)Side B Label
UAST 15502 ① FB 3 K-9648Side A runout, variant 1
UAST 15503 FB3 K-9649Side B runout, variant 1
UAST 15502 ᵒᵏ FB4 K-9648Side A runout, variant 2
UAST 15503 ① FB 3 K-9649Side B runout, variant 2
K-9650 UA 15502 AB 3Side A runout
K-9648 UAST 15502 AB 3Side B runout
(UA-15502)Side A label
(UAST-15502)Side B label
UP 35836A-1U UAST 15502 FB4 K-9648Side A
UP 35836B-1U K-9649 UAST 15503 FB4Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | Festival Records K-5910First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Brazil | United Artists Records UACS-1534First year7" | 7" |
| 1975 | Canada | United Artists Records UA-XW629-XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | France | United Artists Records UP 35.836First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1975 | Greece | United Artists Records 4523First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Guatemala | United Artists Records UA-XW629-XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Italy | United Artists Records UA 35836First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1975 | Japan | Liberty LLR-10759First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1975 | Mexico | United Artists Records G-1483First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Netherlands | United Artists Records 5C 006-96596First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | New Zealand | United Artists Records K 5910First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1975 | Peru | United Artists Records UAI 20137First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Portugal | United Artists Records N-S-14-112First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | South Africa | Far Out FTS.100First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Spain | United Artists Records 16097-A / Far Out 16.097 - AFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
29 vinyl pressings of Why Can't We Be Friends? are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1975 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, UK, Germany, Australia and more. One of them is United Artists Records UA-XW629-X, released April 1975.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use UA-XW629-X, UP 35836, 35 836 A, K-5910) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T UAST 15502 A3 and T UAST 15503 A3. 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.
