Pretty Vacant（VS184）

Here We Go!
Sex Pistols Collection Feature

This time, we’re taking a look at the Sex Pistols’ third single:

Pretty Vacant (VS184)

Let’s dive into the UK original pressing of this punk classic!

💡 For this post, we’ll treat the 1977 pressing with the blue-white gradient label as the 1st press, and the 1978 green-red label version as the 2nd press.

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🧷 Basic Info

• Title: Pretty Vacant
• Artist: Sex Pistols
• Format: 7″ Single (45RPM)
• Release Date: July 2, 1977
• Label / Catalog No.: Virgin VS184
• Sleeve: Picture sleeve

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🧷 Tracks

• Side A: Pretty Vacant (Produced by Chris Thomas)
• Side B: No Fun (Produced by Dave Goodman)

Fun fact: the proper pronunciation of “Vacant” is ˈveɪkənt, with the stress on “Va” — but Johnny Rotten famously flips the stress to “cant” 😆
(We’ll leave the implications of that up to your imagination…)

The B-side is a cover of The Stooges’ “No Fun”. The original is worth checking out too!
Note: due to time limits on the 7″, the ending is cut off abruptly 😆
Later CD issues include the full version.
The first time I remember hearing it in full was on either The Swindle Continues or No Future U.K.?, but honestly, I can’t remember which 😅

Also, the US version features “Submission” as the B-side and comes with a completely different sleeve.

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🧷 Pressing / Variant Details

✔️ Matrix Numbers (Runouts):

• VS-184-A-2 / VS-184-B-1
  This corresponds to Variant 3 on Discogs.
  For reference:
• A1/B1 = Variant 1
• A1/B3 = Variant 2

Discogs “variants” indicate differences between pressings of the same release, aimed at helping collectors spot subtle changes — though let’s be honest, sometimes it’s unclear what the differences even are 😅

✔️ Sleeve:
Designed by Jamie Reid, this matte-finished paper sleeve is non-glossy and fairly thin.

✔️ Label Variations:

• 1st Press: Blue-white gradient
• 2nd Press: Green-red

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🧷 Collector’s Notes

Some 1st press copies feature black print near the runout, while others have blue print — only on the B-side or on both sides.
Center types vary as well: solid center is common, but push-out centers and jukebox (dinked) versions also exist.
As for the 2nd press, you’ll find versions with and without the “twins” (small logos) printed at the bottom of the label.

Even within just the UK pressings, there’s a surprising number of variations — enough to drive any collector crazy 😭

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🔜 Up Next

Next time, we’ll feature the final single from the Johnny Rotten era:
“Holidays in the Sun” (Virgin VS191)

Stay tuned!
byebye 👋