I often hear that 1984 was released on December 31, 1983. Now the VH Encyclopedia shows it as January 4, 1984, while the Official VH website shows January 9, 1984. Does anyone know which of these dates is correct? The VHE shows that the video for Jump was released on December 31, 1984, so maybe that's where some of the confusion comes from, but I don't know.

I'm positive it was released in January, whether it was the 4th or 9th, I can't remember. I do remember being back from winter break before I could talk to my buddies at school about the new album.

Also was it released in limited quantity just for the new year, and then nationwide afterwards? I don't know.

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RLRR LRLL

I always thought it was released Dec. 31, 1983 at midnight.

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Im with scott5150 on this one. Seems like I remember record stores around here staying open late on New Years Eve for the release.

Scott and Wolf, that's what I thought too, but then why would the Official VH site show it as being January 9, 1984? Doesn't make sense to me at all.

Maybe part of the site's update "in its' entirety" includes such a correction? I know, cheap shot.

http://www.vhlinks.com/vhlforum/smilies/smile.gif

I remember hearing January 17th as something I don't remember if it was for 1984 or not. I remember it cause it is my birthday! Haha!

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2711

I am just about SURE it was midnight 31st. Maybe the sight says the 7th or 9th or whatever because that is the day the album sales started being tracked with the first data that came in? Idunno.

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sheepa latta peepah dabba looka foh a moopy

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I always thought Dec. 31, 1983...on the radio here, I've heard them say "the album that was released in 1983...VH's 1984" and in the 1984 liner notes it's copyright '83, ain't it? Yet, in the Best Of liner notes, it's listed as being released in '84! I don't really believe the VHE could be wrong, but it seems to me that it's '83.

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"1989" (http://www.vhvault.com/1989) - Maya's Van Halen Page

Any time I've ever read about 1984's release date it has been mentioned as having been released on the last day of 1983. That's Dec. 31, 1983 for all you Einstein's out there.http://www.vhlinks.com/vhlforum/smilies/wink.gif

Yeah I remember I think this past New Year's Eve hearing that 1984 was released in limited release (sounds repetitive http://www.vhlinks.com/vhlforum/smilies/biggrin.gif) on December 31, 1983 during one of those On This Date In Music/History things or something like that.
http://www.vhlinks.com/vhlforum/smilies/smile.gif Maybe I heard wrong but I usually remember stuff like that.

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All I know is that I bought mine on the 11th of January. I'm pretty sure it wasn't available until 1984 even though it had the 1983 copyright, so I would guess the 3rd or the 10th.

Could it possibly have been debuted on Dec 31, 1983? I remember thinking it was funny it wasn't actually released at midnight, but a few days later.

If it were debuted as a radio promotion or possibly released in LA only on the 31st, that might explain it.

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RLRR LRLL

Jump premeried at 12:00 Dec 31 83 on MTV

I know someone who lived in Florida at the time claimed to have bought it on New Years Eve '83 at midnight. Yet, I lived in Illinois, and was unable to find a copy until January 10th of '84 (and still have the receipt).
So, it appears that the record was released as early as New Years Eve, but apparently the distribution was somewhat spotty.

The 1983 copyright date confusion can be summed up pretty simply.

WB had to apply for the copyright in advance, which means if the album was slated for release in early January they would have to have one ready to roll for production of the album. All this happened while still in December, and so WB had to apply for one in 1983. The copyright was issued in 1983, and therefore 1984 carries a date of 1983 on the copyright.

Another (recent) example of this is the 3 Doors Down CD. This was released in early 2000, but it has a 1999 copyright date because of the difference in time froom getting an official copyright and the release of the album.

Whether some were for sale on the 31st, or if it wasn't until the 4th... I don't know that one http://www.vhlinks.com/vhlforum/smilies/wink.gif

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I always thought it was 12-31-83 or 1-1-84 , new years 1984 ya know , I was only 8 at the time !http://www.vhlinks.com/vhlforum/smilies/biggrin.gif

It was indeed released on New Years Eve.

Dec. 31, 1983 - hence the copyright date as '1983'.

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(VV)
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Perhaps it was released oversees on Dec. 31st, and then released a week later in the US. Didn't that happen with "VH3?" I could have sworn it was New Year's Eve 1983 too. I remember getting the album for my 13th birthday on January 13th that's all I really can recall.

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that sucks because my b-day is January 4th!!!
damn it I could have shared my B-day with a VH release.

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