Vinyl pressings
by Band Aid II · 1989
Do They Know It's Christmas? was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 7 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.
FEED 2 A-1U-1- Q3A-Side Run Out Groove
FEED 2 B-6-1-6C-1- Q4B-Side Run Out Groove
A Side : FEED 2 A-BJ-1-Q1ALTERNATIVE
B Side : FEED 2 B-1J-1-Q1
FEED 2 A-1U-1- Q3A-Side Run Out Groove, Variant 1
FEED 2 B-1U-1- Q1B-Side Run Out Groove, Variant 1
FEED 2 A-9U-1-Q1A-Side Run Out Groove, Variant 2
FEED 2 B-2C-1-Q4B-Side Run Out Groove, Variant 2
FEED - 2 - A UTOPIARunout, side A etched
FEED 2 - BRunout, side B etched
[SNA logo]Runout, A & B-side, stamped
FEED - 2 - A2 [S̶N̶A̶ ̶l̶o̶g̶o̶] UTOPIA AGISide A runout
FEED 2 - B AGI [S̶N̶A̶ ̶l̶o̶g̶o̶]Side B runout
FEED 2 A-8U-1-Q1 UTOPIAVariant 1 side A runout
FEED 2 B-1U-1-Q1Variant 1 side B runout
FEED 2 A-1U-1-Q3 UTOPIAVariant 2 side A runout
FEED 2 B-1U-1-Q2Variant 2 side B runout
FEED 2 A-2C-1- Q1 DA-Side Run Out Groove
FEED 2 B-1U-1- Q1B-Side Run Out Groove
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Australia | Polydor 873 646-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Canada | PWL Records 873 646-7 / Polydor 873 646-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Europe | PWL Records 873 646-7 / Polydor 873 646-7First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | PWL Records 873 646-7 / Polydor 873 646-7First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1989 | France | PWL Records 873 646-7 / Polydor 873 646-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Netherlands | PWL Records PWS 006First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Netherlands | PWL Records 873 646-7 / Mercury 873 646-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Netherlands | PWL Records PWS 006First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK | PWL Records FEED 2 / Polydor 873 646-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK | PWL Records FEED 2 / Polydor 873 646-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | UK | PWL Records FEED 2 / Polydor 873 646-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox |
| 1989 | UK | PWL Records FEED 2 / Polydor 873 646-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | UK | PWL Records FEED 2 / Polydor 873 646-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | UK | PWL Records FEED 2 / Polydor 873 646-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | UK | PWL Records FEED 2 / Polydor 873 646-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Ecuador | Polydor 753947", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Polydor 873 646-77", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
19 vinyl pressings of Do They Know It's Christmas? are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1989 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in UK, Portugal, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is PWL Records FEED 2, released December 1989.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FEED 2, 873 646-7, PWS 006) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, FEED 2 A-1U-1- Q3 and FEED 2 B-6-1-6C-1- Q4. 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.
