Vinyl pressings
by "Weird Al" Yankovic · 1985
Like A Surgeon was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 8 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.
AB ZS4 04937-3 STERLING PSide A runouts
AA ZS4 04937-4 STERLING PSide B runouts
ZS4 04937-3Side A label
ZS4 04937-4Side B label
P AA ZS4 04937-3 STERLINGSide A
P AA ZS4 04937-3 STERLINGSide B
AC ZS4 04937-3 (MP) G1Side A Etching
AD ZS4 04936-4 MP G1Side B Etching
STERLINGStamped Both Sides
ZS4 04937-3Side A Label
STERLING P AA ZS4 04937-3Runout Etchings (Both Sides)
AA-AF ZS4 04937-3Labels
7Y0087-ALabel A
7Y0087-BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | Rock 'N' Roll Records LS 1067First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | Australia | Epic ES 1067 / Rock 'N' Roll Records ES 1067First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Australia | Epic ES 1067 / Rock 'N' Roll Records ES 1067First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Australia | Epic ES 1067 / Rock 'N' Roll Records ES 1067First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Scotti Bros. Records ZS4-04937 / Rock 'N' Roll Records ZS4-04937First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | Mexico | Epic SCL 45058First year12", Single · Colored vinyl | 12", Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Scotti Bros. Records SCTA 6449 / Scotti Bros. Records A-6499First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | Scotti Bros. Records A 6449First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Rock 'N' Roll Records ZS4 04937First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Rock 'N' Roll Records ZS7-2105First year7", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc |
| 1985 | US | Rock 'N' Roll Records ZS4-04937First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | US | Rock 'N' Roll Records ZS4 04937First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1985 | Japan | Rock 'N' Roll Records 7Y0087 / Scotti Bros. Records 7Y0087First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Japan | Rock 'N' Roll Records 7Y0087 / Scotti Bros. Records 7Y0087First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Germany | Rock 'N' Roll Records 120·14·014 / Bellaphon 120·14·014First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
16 vinyl pressings of Like A Surgeon are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Japan, Germany and more. One of them is Rock 'N' Roll Records ZS4 04937.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ZS4 04937, ZS7-2105, ZS4-04937, A 6449) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AB ZS4 04937-3 STERLING P and AA ZS4 04937-4 STERLING P. 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.
