Vinyl pressings
by Warren Zevon · 1980
Bad Luck Streak In Dancing School was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 14 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.
5E-509 A-7 SP + SLM + △233Side A runout, variant 1
5E-509 B-7 SP + SLM + △233-XSide B runout, variant 1
5E-509 A-4 + SLM + △233 SPECIALTY 0-1 SM 2-1Side A runout, variant 2
5E-509 B-7 SP + SLM + △233-X (2) 0-1 SM 3-2Side B runout, variant 2
5E-509 A-5+ SLM + ← △24663 ④Runout side A, variant 1
5E-509 B-5 - + SLM + ← △24663X ④Runout side B, variant 1
5E-509 A-5 + SLM + △233 MON △24663 (1)Runout side A, variant 2
5E-509 B-5 - + SLM + △233-x MON ▵24663-X (1)Runout side B, variant 2
5E-509 A-3 - + SLM + ← △233Runout Side 1 etched, 'SLM' stamped
5E-509 B-3 - + SLM + ←△233-XRunout Side 2 etched, 'SLM' stamped
5E-509-A (AR)Label side A
5E-509-B (AR)Label side B
Side A5E-509 A-7 SP + SLM + △233 0-2
Side B5E-509 B-3 - + SLM + △233-X SP 0-1
5E-509 4-A 4233 SpecialtySide A
5E-509 B-3 0-12M3-1 233-X SpecialtySide B
SLMStamp
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Asylum Records 5E-509First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Brazil | Asylum Records 32.053First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Asylum Records X5E 509First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Asylum Records X5E 509First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Asylum Records AS 52 191 / Asylum Records 5E-509First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Asylum Records 5E-509LP, Test Pressing, Promo, White Label · Test pressing, Promo | LP, Test Pressing, Promo, White Label · Test pressing, Promo |
| 1980 | Italy | Asylum Records W 52191First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | Asylum Records P-10793YFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | Asylum Records P-10793YFirst yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Asylum Records AS 52 191 / Asylum Records 5E-509First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Asylum Records 5E 509First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | South Africa | Asylum Records AUC 4537 / Asylum Records 5E-509First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Spain | Asylum Records S 90.228First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Asylum Records K52191First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Asylum Records 5E 509First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | US | Friday Music FRM-509LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 2-613 / Asylum Records MFSL 2-613LP, 45 RPM, Album, Numbered, Remastered, Special Edition, Stereo · Numbered | LP, 45 RPM, Album, Numbered, Remastered, Special Edition, Stereo · Numbered |
27 vinyl pressings of Bad Luck Streak In Dancing School are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1980 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, France, Greece and more. One of them is Asylum Records 5E-509, released February 15, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 5E-509, 5E 509, K52191, AS 52 191) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 5E-509 A-7 SP + SLM + △233 and 5E-509 B-7 SP + SLM + △233-X. 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.
