Pretty Vacant (VS184) – The UK 7-Inch Punk Masterpiece

Welcome back — this time, we’re taking a look at the third single in the Virgin Records series:

🎸 Pretty Vacant (Virgin VS184)

Let’s break down the original UK pressing of this legendary 1977 release.

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🧷 Basic Info

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

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🧷 Tracks

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

💡 Fun Note: Johnny Rotten famously shifts the pronunciation of “vacant” to emphasize the last syllable (“-cant”) — an iconic punk twist.

The B-side is a Stooges cover, though the ending is cut short due to 7” time limits.
Full versions appear on later CD compilations.

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🧷 Pressing Details

✔️ Matrix Numbers (Runouts):

• This copy: VS-184-A-2 / VS-184-B-1
• Matches Variant 3 on Discogs

Other known variations:

• A1/B1 = Variant 1
• A1/B3 = Variant 2

🧷 Sleeve Notes

Designed by Jamie Reid, the sleeve is printed on non-glossy, lightweight paper.
The layout is minimal, yet unmistakably punk.

✔️ Label Variations:

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

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🧷 Collector’s Notes

Even within UK pressings, there are numerous variations:

• Some have solid centers
• Others feature push-out (jukebox) centers
• Label print color also varies (blue vs black text near runout)

The number of combinations is wild — enough to keep collectors up at night 😅

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🔜 Coming Next:

Next up is the final single from the Johnny Rotten era:

“Holidays in the Sun” – Virgin VS191
We’ll compare the original and reissue versions!

byebye 👋