Vinyl pressings
by "Weird Al" Yankovic · 1984
This Is The Life was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 4 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.
AD ZS4 04708-3 G1A-Side Runout Etching
AC ZS4 04708-4 G2B-Side Runout Etching
AA-AF ZS4 04708-3A-Side Label
AA-AF ZS4 04708-4B-Side Label
P AA ZS4 04708-3 A STERLINGA-Side Runout Etching
P AB ZS4 04708-4 B STERLINGB-Side Runout Etching
AA-AF ZS4 04708-3A-Side Label
AA-AF ZS4 04708-4B-Side Label
P(AP) o AA Z49 05154-3 A STERLINGA-Side Runout Etching
P(AP) o AB Z49 05154-3 A STERLINGB-Side Runout Etching
AA-AF 4Z9 05154-3Labels
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Epic ES 1027First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Australia | Epic ES 1027First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Canada | Scotti Bros. Records ZS4 04708 / Rock 'N' Roll Records ZS4 04708First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Scotti Bros. Records 12EXP5154First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Scotti Bros. Records A-6136 / Scotti Bros. Records SCTA 6136First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Rock 'N' Roll Records ZS4 04708First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Rock 'N' Roll Records 4Z9 05154First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Rock 'N' Roll Records ZS4 04708 / Rock 'N' Roll Records ZS4-04708First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Rock 'N' Roll Records 4Z9 05154First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1984 | US | Rock 'N' Roll Records ZS4 04708 / Rock 'N' Roll Records ZS4-04708First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of This Is The Life are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, Australia, Canada, Netherlands. One of them is Rock 'N' Roll Records ZS4 04708.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ZS4 04708, 4Z9 05154, ES 1027, A-6136) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AD ZS4 04708-3 G1 and AC ZS4 04708-4 G2. 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.
