Vinyl pressings
by 10cc · 1976
The Things We Do For Love was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 16 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.
6008 022 1F//2 IB 1 4 4 MELY+ TONYVariation 1 - runout, A-side
6008 022 2F//2 IB 1 2 6 MELYSVariation 1 - runout, B-side
6008 022 1F//1 IB 1 1 3 MELY+ TONYVariation 2 - runout, A-side
6008 022 2F//2 IB 1 3 3 MELYSVariation 2 - runout, B-side
6008022 1F//2 IB 14 6 MELY+TONYRunout, side A var.1 stamped/etched
6008022 2F//1 IB 1 6 MELYS.Runout, side B var.1 stamped/etched
6008022 1F//2 IB 1 2 1 MELY+TONYRunout, side A var.2 stamped/etched
6008022 2F//2 IB 1 1 1 MELYSRunout, side B var.2 stamped/etched
6008 022 1F // 1 IB MELY+ TONY 13 1Side A runout
6008 022 2F // 2 IB 1 1 5 MELYSSide B runout
p 2-53328 6 MELYSA-side runout etching, variant 1
p 2-53329-5 MELLYSB-side runout etching, variant 1
p 2-53328-5 MELYSA-side runout etching, variant 2
p 2-53329-5 MELLYSB-side runout etching, variant 2
2-53328-A CT T 10-CC-A-1 MELYSEtched side A, variant 1
2-53329-B T 10-CC-B1 MELYSEtched side B, variant 1
2-53328-A CT T 1̶0̶-̶C̶C̶-̶A̶-̶2̶ MELYS TIEtched side A, variant 2
2-53329-B C̶T̶ ̶1̶0̶-̶C̶C̶-̶B̶2̶ MELYS TIEtched side B, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Unknown | Philips 6008 022First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Australia | Mercury 6008 022First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Belgium | Mercury 6008 022First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Canada | Philips 6008. 022First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Canada | Philips 6008.022First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Canada | Philips 6008. 022First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Canada | Philips 6008.022First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | France | Mercury 6008 022First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Germany | Mercury 6008 022First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Guatemala | Mercury 6008 022First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Guatemala | Mercury 6008 022First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Ireland | Mercury 6008 022First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Italy | Mercury 6008 022First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Mercury 6008 022First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | New Zealand | Mercury 6008 022First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
39 vinyl pressings of The Things We Do For Love are listed here, from 25 countries, released between 1976 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, US, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is Mercury 6008 022, released December 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6008 022, 73875, 6008. 022, 6008.022) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 6008 022 1F//2 IB 1 4 4 MELY+ TONY and 6008 022 2F//2 IB 1 2 6 MELYS. 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.
