Vinyl pressings
by Baby Go Boom · 1984
Life Can Be A Hurtful Thing 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.
4 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 2 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.
I VST1 A-3U-1-1-4Run-out area A-side [machine-stamped]
I VST1 B-3U-1-1-1Run-out area B-side [machine-stamped]
I 21Run-out area both sides [machine-stamped, crossed out]
TimTom cbsRun-out area A-side [hand-etched]
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 | France | Island Records 884 687-1First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | Innervision Records IVS T1 / Innervision Records IVST 1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | Innervision Records IVS 1First year7" | 7" |
| 1984 | UK | Innervision Records IVI 121First year12", Promo, White Label · Promo | 12", Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1986 | Australia | Island Records K 99587", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Australia | Island Records X 1433112", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Canada | Island Records IS 109212", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Canada | Island Records 970397", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | UK | Island Records 12IS 24812", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | UK | Island Records IS 2487", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
10 vinyl pressings of Life Can Be A Hurtful Thing are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1984 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, France. One of them is Innervision Records IVS T1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use IVS T1, IVS 1, IVI 121, 884 687-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, I VST1 A-3U-1-1-4 and I VST1 B-3U-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.
