Vinyl pressings
by a-ha · 1985
The Sun Always Shines On T.V. was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
52 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 12 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.
XW 8846TA - 1U - 1 - 1 -Side A runout, variant 1
XW 8846TB - 1U - 1 - 1- ^1Side B runout, variant 1
W . 8846 . T.A A ̶1̶ 2Side A runout, variant 2
W 8846T B1Side B runout, variant 2
W 8846-A I→ MT DAMONT MWRunout (etched) side A variant 1
W 8846 -B I→ MT. DAMONTRunout (etched) side B variant 1
W 8846-A 3 MT.1̶ 3 DAMONT MW VRunout (etched) side A variant 2
W 8846-B MT.3 DAMONT URunout (etched) side B variant 2
W8846T - A . - MT. DAMONTSide A runout
W8846T - B . - MT. DAMONTSide B runout
W8846T - A . - MT. DAMONTRun-out Side A
W8846T - B . - MT. DAMONTRun-out Side B
W8846(T) ALabel Side A
W8846(T) BLabel Side B
W 8846 A//1∇420 V 1 2 16 MWStamped/Etched, Runout side A, MW is combined, Variant 1
W 8846 B//1∇420 V 1 3 2Stamped, Runout side B, Variant 1
W 8846 A//1∇420 V 1 2 2 1 MWStamped/Etched, Runout side A, MW is combined, Variant 2
W 8846 B//1∇420 V 1 2 1 1Stamped, Runout side B, Variant 2
W8846 A//1 ∇ 420 V MWSide A runout
W8846 B//1 ∇ 420 VSide B runout
W8846 A//1 ∇ 420 V 1 2 2 4 MWSide A runout, Variant 2
W8846 B//1 ∇ 420 V 1 2 2 1 MWSide B runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records 0-20410 / Reprise Records 0-20410First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records 7-28846 / Reprise Records 7-28846First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 04100First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 88467 / Reprise Records 92 88467First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 88467 / Reprise Records 92 88467First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 88467 / Reprise Records 92 88467First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 88467 / Reprise Records 92 88467First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 88467First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 88467 / Reprise Records 92 88467First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 920 410-0 / Reprise Records 920 410-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 928 846-7 / Reprise Records 928 846-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 920 410-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 920 410-0 / Reprise Records 920 410-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 920 410-0 / Reprise Records 920 410-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 928 846-7 / Reprise Records 928 846-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Warner Bros. Records 7-288467", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
64 vinyl pressings of The Sun Always Shines On T.V. are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records W8846(T).
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use W8846(T), W8846, 0-20410, 7-28846) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XW 8846TA - 1U - 1 - 1 - and XW 8846TB - 1U - 1 - 1- ^1. 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.
