Vinyl pressings
by Was (Not Was) · 1981
Tell Me That I'm Dreaming was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
1 pressing came out in 1981, the album's first year. 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.
PRO-A-1000-ZMI 1074-VI-S-A1 I B-16362-A1 STERLINGA runout
PRO-A-1000-ZMI 1074-V2-S-A1 I B-16363-A1 STERLINGB runout
ZMI 1074 VI SA label
ZMI 1074 VII SB 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | US | ZE Records PRO-A-1000 / Island Records PRO-A-1000First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Europe | Island Records 600.534 / ZE Records 600.53412", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Italy | Island Records WIP 26776 / ZE Records WIP 267767", Single | 7", Single |
| 1982 | Japan | Island Records 7S-65 / Polystar 7S-657", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1982 | Japan | Island Records 7S-65 / Polystar 7S-657", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1982 | UK | Island Records 12WIP 6776 / ZE Records 12WIP 677612", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | US | Island Records DISD 50011 / ZE Records DISD 5001112", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1982 | US | Island Records DISD 50011 / ZE Records DISD 5001112", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | US | ZE Records 202014 / Island Records 2020147", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1982 | US | Island Records DISD 50011 / ZE Records DISD 5001112", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1982 | UK | Island Records 12WIP 6776 / ZE Records 12WIP 677612", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Island Records WIP 6776 / ZE Records WIP 67767", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of Tell Me That I'm Dreaming are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US. One of them is ZE Records PRO-A-1000.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PRO-A-1000) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PRO-A-1000-ZMI 1074-VI-S-A1 I B-16362-A1 STERLING and PRO-A-1000-ZMI 1074-V2-S-A1 I B-16363-A1 STERLING. 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.
