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So Emotional by Whitney Houston, album cover

Vinyl pressings

So Emotional

by Whitney Houston · 1987

41 pressings17 countriesSynth-popElectronicPop

So Emotional was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.

How to spot a first pressing of So Emotional

38 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 15 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.

US

October 1987
Label and catalog number
Arista AS1-9642
Format
7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo · Allied Pressing
Runout / matrix

AS-1-9642-SA-1 Ɑ R-19028-SA-1 ∆18475 STERLING 1-1Side A Runout - variant 1

AS-1-9642-SB-2 Ɑ R-19029-SB-2 ∆18475-X 1-1Side B Runout - variant 1

AS-1-9642-SA-1 [Allied 'a' logo] R-19028-SA-1 △18475 STERLING 1-1Side A runout, etched ['Sterling' stamped] - variant 2

AS-1-9642-SB-1 [Allied 'a' logo] R-19029-SB-1 △18475-X STERLING 1-1Side B runout, etched ['Sterling' stamped] - variant 2

Full details of this pressing

US

1987
Label and catalog number
Arista AD1-9641
Format
12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo
Runout / matrix

AD·1·9641·SAA side runout groove etching, variant 1

AD·1·9641-SBB side runout groove etching, variant 1

AD-1-9641- SA - 3A side runout groove etching, variant 2

AD-1-9641- SB - 3B side runout groove etching, variant 2

Full details of this pressing

US

1987
Label and catalog number
Arista AS1-9642
Format
7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
Runout / matrix

AS-1-9642-SASide A etched

AS-1-9642-SB-1Side B etched

SterlingSide A & B stamped

AS1-9642-SALabel side A

Full details of this pressing

US

1987
Label and catalog number
Arista AS1-9642
Format
7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Specialty Pressing
Runout / matrix

[SRC logo] AS-1-9642-SA-SP 1-1 STERLINGRunout A

[SRC logo] AS-1-9642-SB-SP1 1-1 STERLINGRunout B

AS1-9642-SASide A label

AS1-9642-SBSide B label

Full details of this pressing

US

1987
Label and catalog number
Arista AD1-9641
Format
12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo
Runout / matrix

AD-1-9641-SA-3 ɑ B-29341-3 △ 18474 1-1 STERLINGSide 1 - runout

AD-1-9641-SB-1 ɑ B-29342-B1 △ 18474-X 1- STERLINGSide 2 - runout

AD1-9641-SASide 1 - label

AD1-9641-SBSide 2 - label

Full details of this pressing

US

1987
Label and catalog number
Arista ADI-9641
Format
12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single
Runout / matrix

AD-1-9641-SASide 1 - runout

AD-1-9641-SBSide 2 - runout

ADI-9641-SASide 1 - label

ADI-9641-SBSide 2 - label

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 41 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1980s40 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1987Australia & New ZealandArista TDS 409 / BMG Arista / Ariola Limited TDS 409First year12", 45 RPM12", 45 RPM
1987CanadaArista AD1-9641First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single
1987CanadaArista AS1-9642First year7", Single, Stereo7", Single, Stereo
1987EuropeArista 109 477First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
1987FranceArista 109 477 / Arista 109477First year7", 45 RPM, Single7", 45 RPM, Single
1987FranceArista 109 477 / Arista 109477First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
1987GermanyArista 609 477First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo
1987GermanyArista 609 550First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo
1987GreeceArista ARISTA 4601 / Arista 4601First year12", Maxi-Single, Stereo12", Maxi-Single, Stereo
1987ItalyArista 109 477First year7", Single, 45 RPM7", Single, 45 RPM
1987ItalyArista 109 477First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo
1987JapanArista A15L-2First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo
1987MexicoArista SL-7175First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single
1987MexicoArista Rx-461First year7", Promo · Promo7", Promo · Promo
1987PhilippinesArista OC-EP-17167First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single
All 40 pressings from the 1980s
Year unknown1 pressing
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?GermanyNot On Label (Whitney Houston) WHITE 00112", 45 RPM, White Label12", 45 RPM, White Label

Tracklist

  1. ASo Emotional3:46
  2. BFor The Love Of You5:29

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of So Emotional are there?

41 vinyl pressings of So Emotional are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1987 and 1988.

When was So Emotional first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, UK, Ireland, Japan and more. One of them is Arista AS1-9642, released October 1987.

How do I tell if my copy of So Emotional is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AS1-9642, AD1-9641, ADI-9641, RIST 43) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AS-1-9642-SA-1 Ɑ R-19028-SA-1 ∆18475 STERLING 1-1 and AS-1-9642-SB-2 Ɑ R-19029-SB-2 ∆18475-X 1-1. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is So Emotional on vinyl worth?

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.

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