Vinyl pressings
by Whitney Houston · 1985
How Will I Know 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.
31 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 13 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.
AD1-9449-SA-RCA 1 Ⅰ A?J STERLINGSide A runout
AD1-9449-SB-RCA 1 AD1-9449SB-1 Ⅰ STERLING A1MSide B runout
AD1-9449-SASide A label
AD1-9449-SBSide B label
AS 1-9434-SALabel side A
AS 1-9434-SBLabel side B
AS1-9434-SALabel side A
AS1-9434-SBLabel side B
AD1-9449-SA-M1 ELA-∆27227Side A runout
AD19449-SB-M1 ELA-∆27227XSide B runout
AD1-9449-SASide A label
AD1-9449-SBSide B label
AS1-9434-SA DW1A side runout
AS1-9434-SB TML-XB side runout
AS1-9434-SAA side label
AS1-9434-SBB side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Barbados | Arista AS1-9434First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Arista AD1-9449First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Arista AS1-9434First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Arista AS1-9434First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | Europe | Arista 602 126First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Arista 601 783First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Arista 107 347First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Arista 107 741First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | Arista 608 014First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | Arista 601 979First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Germany | Arista 607 952First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Ireland | Arista ARIST 656First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Arista K 9588 / Festival Records K 9588First year7", Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Arista X 14167First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1985 | Philippines | Arista ART-7163First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Arista K-95887", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
63 vinyl pressings of How Will I Know are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1985 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, Australia, Australia & New Zealand, Barbados and more. One of them is Arista AD1-9449.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AD1-9449, AFS-9554, AS 1-9434, AS1-9434) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AD1-9449-SA-RCA 1 Ⅰ A?J STERLING and AD1-9449-SB-RCA 1 AD1-9449SB-1 Ⅰ STERLING A1M. 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.
