Vinyl pressings
by What Is This · 1985
I'll Be Around 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.
10 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 3 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.
MCA-4677-ASR-3 [Artisan logo] ◈-P-◈ IIIRunout side A
MCA·4685-SS2 STERLING ◈-P-◈ IRunout side B
MCA4677Side A label inside parenthesis
MCA4685Side B label inside parenthesis
MC 18047 R SSZ ⧈-G-⧈ STERLING ⓧSide A runout etched; stamped variant 1
MC 16957 SS1 ⧈-G-⧈ STERLING ⓧSide b runout etched; stamped variant 1
MC 18047 R - SS1 ⧈-G-⧈Runout side A, etched, except [⧈-G-⧈] stamped variant 2
MC 16957 - SS1 ⧈-G-⧈ STERLING ⓧRunout side B, etched, except [⧈-G-⧈ STERLING] stamped variant 2
MCA-4677-ASR-1 [Artisan Logo] ⧈-G-⧈ 2Runout side A
MCA-4685-SS1 ⧈-G-⧈ 1 STERLINGRunout side B
MC 18047-R-SS1 ⧈-G-⧈Side A, etched
MC 18047-R-SS1 ⧈-G-⧈Side B, etched
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 | MCA Records 7-52593First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-23573First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1985 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-52593First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | US | MCA Records L33-17024First year12", Promo, Single, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, Single, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| 1985 | US | MCA Records MCA-23573First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1985 | US | MCA Records L33-1298First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Single · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Single · Promo |
| 1985 | US | MCA Records MCA-52593First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | US | MCA Records MCA-52593First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | US | MCA Records MCA-23573First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1985 | US | MCA Records MCA-52593First year7", Stereo, Promo · Promo | 7", Stereo, Promo · Promo |
10 vinyl pressings of I'll Be Around are listed here, from 3 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, Australia, Canada. One of them is MCA Records MCA-23573.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-23573, MCA-52593, L33-17024, L33-1298) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA-4677-ASR-3 [Artisan logo] ◈-P-◈ III and MCA·4685-SS2 STERLING ◈-P-◈ I. 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.
