Vinyl pressings
by Andy Taylor · 1987
Life Goes On was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 8 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.
MCA 1100 A // 1 ∇ 420 T 1 1 1 Pounda Ta1PeRunout stamped/etched side A, variant 1
MCA 1100 B // 1 ∇ 420 T 1 1 2Runout stamped side B, variant 1
MCA 1100 A//1 ∇ 420 T 1 1 2 Pounda Ta1PeRunout stamped/etched side A, variant 2
MCA 1100 B//1 ∇ 420 T 1 2Runout stamped side B, variant 2
MC-23706 -E - BG-3 ❀ ◈-P-◈ IA-side runout, etched; "◈-P-◈" is stamped
MC-/23706-E BG-4 ❀ ◈-P-◈ IIB-side runout, etched; "◈-P-◈" is stamped
MC23706EBoth sides, label
R/S Alsdorf 258384-7-A BE JCRunout side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 258384-7-B JCRunout side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 258384-7-A JK D M eRunout side A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 258384-7-B JKRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australia | MCA Records 7-13975First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Australia | MCA Records 7-13975First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-52999First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 52999First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Europe | MCA Records 258 383-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | France | MCA Records 258 384-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1987 | Italy | MCA Records 25 8384-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | MCA Records MCA 1100First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | MCA Records MCAR 1100First year12" | 12" |
| 1987 | US | MCA Records MCA-52999First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1987 | US | MCA Records MCA-52999First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | US | MCA Records L33-17315First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Europe | MCA Records 258 384-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Japan | MCA Records P-2317First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Japan | MCA Records P-2317First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
15 vinyl pressings of Life Goes On are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Europe, Japan and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA 1100.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA 1100, MCAR 1100, MCA-52999, L33-17315) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA 1100 A // 1 ∇ 420 T 1 1 1 Pounda Ta1Pe and MCA 1100 B // 1 ∇ 420 T 1 1 2. 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.
