Vinyl pressings
by Wham! · 1983
Bad Boys was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
38 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 17 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.
A 3143-A4 ARUN ⋀Runout, A-side. variant 1
A 3143-B3 ⋀Runout, B-side, variant 1
A 3143 A4̶ 6 ARUN ΛRunout, A-side, variant 2
A 3143 B4 ΛRunout, B-side, variant 2
TA - 3143 - A3Runout, A-side, variant 1
TA - 3143 - B3 ARunout, B-side, variant 1
TA - 3143 - A3 2 BRunout, A-side, variant 2
TA - 3143 - B4 3 ARunout, B-side, variant 2
TA-3143-A3Label, A-side
TA-3143-B3Label, B-side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Epic ES 856 / Innervision Records ES 856First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Australia | Epic ES 856First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Australia | Epic ES 12063 / Innervision Records ES 12063First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Australia | Epic ES 12063 / Innervision Records MX202714First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Canada | Columbia 38-03932 / Innervision Records 38-03932First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Colombia | CBS 442-1207First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | Europe | Epic A3143 / Epic EPCA 3143First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Epic EPCA 12.3143 / Epic A 12.3143First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Epic EPCA 3143 / Epic A3143First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony AAP 103First year12" | 12" |
| 1983 | Ireland | Innervision Records IVL A 3143First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Ireland | Innervision Records IVL A 3143First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Italy | Epic EPC A 3143 / Innervision Records EPC A 3143First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Japan | Epic 07・5P-260First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Japan | Epic QY・3P-90065First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Columbia 44-03933 / Innervision Records 44-0393312", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Reissue | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Reissue |
44 vinyl pressings of Bad Boys are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1983 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Innervision Records A3143, released May 2, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use A3143, TA 3143, A 3143, WA 3143) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A 3143-A4 ARUN ⋀ and A 3143-B3 ⋀. 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.
