Vinyl pressings
by Alphaville · 1984
Sounds Like A Melody was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
26 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 11 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.
R/S Alsdorf 249366-0 A X Digital Mastering by SNBRunout side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 249366-0 B D S Digital Mastering by SNBRunout side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 249366-0 A X Digital Mastering by SNBRunout side A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 249366-0 B D Digital Mastering by SNBRunout side B, variant 2
R / S Alsdorf 249366-7 Ax N Digital Mastering by SNBRunout side A, variant 1
R / S Alsdorf 249366-7 Bxxx Digital Mastering by SNBRunout side B, variant 1
R / S Alsdorf 249366-7 A Digital Mastering by SNBRunout side A, variant 2
R / S Alsdorf 249366-7 B Digital Mastering by SNBRunout side B, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 249366-0 A X Digital Mastering By SNBRunout side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 249366-0 B D S Digital Mastering By SNBRunout side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 249366-0 A XXXX F Digital Mastering By SNBRunout side A, pressed/etched, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 249366-0 B Digital Mastering By SNBRunout side B, pressed/etched, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 249366-7 A Digital Mastering by SNB <FR>Runout side A
R/S Alsdorf 249366-7 B <FR> Digital Mastering by SNBRunout side B
̷R̷/̷S̷ ̷A̷l̷s̷d̷o̷r̷f̷ ̷ 249366-7 AX Digital Mastering by SNB <FR>Runout side A, variant 1
̷R̷/̷S̷ ̷A̷l̷s̷d̷o̷r̷f̷ ̷ 249366-7 Bx <FR> Digital Mastering by SNBRunout side B, variant 1
̷R̷/̷S̷ ̷A̷l̷s̷d̷o̷r̷f̷ ̷ 249366-7 A Digital Mastering by SNB <FR>Runout side A, variant 2
̷R̷/̷S̷ ̷A̷l̷s̷d̷o̷r̷f̷ ̷ 249366-7 B <FR> Digital Mastering by SNBRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | WEA 0-249366First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Australia | WEA 7-249366First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Brazil | WEA 18.094First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | WEA 24 93660First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1984 | Canada | WEA 24 93667First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | WEA 249 366-0 / WEA 249 366-0 DFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Greece | WEA 249 366-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Italy | WEA 24 9366-0First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1984 | Italy | WEA 24 9366-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Portugal | WEA 229 24 9366-0First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Portugal | WEA 229 24-9366-7 / WEA 229 24 9366-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | South Africa | WEA WIS 610 / WEA 249366-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | South Africa | WEA WIM 417First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Spain | Sanni Records BR 107First year7", Single · Colored vinyl | 7", Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1984 | Spain | Sanni Records BR 107 / Baby Records BR 107First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | USA & Europe | Warner Music Group 5054197-0668-4-9 / Rhino Records 5054197-0668-4-912", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
27 vinyl pressings of Sounds Like A Melody are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1984 and 2020.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in Europe, France, Spain, Italy and more. One of them is WEA 249 366-0 D, released May 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 249 366-0 D, 249 366-7, 249 366-0, BR 12 107) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R/S Alsdorf 249366-0 A X Digital Mastering by SNB and R/S Alsdorf 249366-0 B D S Digital Mastering by SNB. 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.
