Vinyl pressings
by Band Aid · 1984
Do They Know It's Christmas? 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.
81 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 19 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 1 A//2▽420 U 0 SA. ƱTOPIAStamped, etched side A variant 1
FEED 1B//9▽420U 1 1Stamped, side B variant 1
FEED1 A//8▽420 U 1 4 1 SA. ƱTOPIAStamped, etched side A variant 2
FEED1 B//2▽420 U 1 10 1Stamped, Side B variant 2
MPO Utopia FEED-1 A⁷ xEtched Side A
MPO FEED-1 B 7Etched Side B
FEED 1 A//2▽420 U 1 SA. ƱTOPIAStamped/etched, side A
FEED 1 B//2▽420 U 1 6 1 1 ƱTOPIAStamped/etched, side B
FEED 1 A//2▽420 U 1 1 1 8 SA. ƱTOPIAStamped/etched, side A, variant 1
FEED 1 B//2▽420 U 1 1 1 6 ƱTOPIAStamped/etched, side B, variant 1
FEED 1 A//2∇ 420 U SA [lyre symbol]TOPIAA-side runout variant 1
FEED 1 B//1∇ 420 U SA [lyre symbol]TOPIAB-side runout variant 1
FEED 1 A//1∇ 420 U SA [lyre symbol]TOPIA steve 11 15A-side runout variant 2
FEED 1 B//1∇ 420 U 12 14 SA lyre symbol]TOPIAB-side runout variant 2
FEED 1 A-11U-1-1-10Side A Runout, Stamped Variant 1
FEED 1 A-11U-1-1-2Side A Runout, Stamped Variant 2
CUT AT ℧TOPIA FOR ETHOPIASide A Runout, Etched Variants 1 & 2
FEED 1 B-10U-1-1-7Side B Runout, Stamped Variant 1
Utopia FEED 1 A⁶Variant 1 run-out matrix A-side
FEED 1 B⁶Variant 1 run-out matrix B-side
[lyre symbol]topia FEED 1 A⁷ MPOVariant 2 run-out matrix A-side
FEED 1 B⁷ MPOVariant 2 run-out matrix B-side
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 | Unknown | Mercury 880 502-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Australasia | Mercury FEED 112First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Australasia | Mercury FEED 1 / Phonogram FEED 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Australasia | Mercury FEED 1 / Phonogram FEED 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Belgium | Mercury 880 502-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Belgium | Mercury 880 502-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Brazil | Mercury 880 502-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Brazil | Mercury 880 502-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Columbia 38-04749First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Canada | Columbia 12CXP-05157 / Columbia 12CXP 05157First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Canada | Columbia 38-04749First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Mercury 880 502-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Mercury 880 502-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Polydor 880 502-7 / Mercury 880 502-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Europe | Mercury 880 502-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Europe | Universal Music Group 060247532123112", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Compilation | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Compilation |
108 vinyl pressings of Do They Know It's Christmas? are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1984 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Greece, Ireland and more. One of them is Mercury FEED 1, released November 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FEED 1, FEED 112, 880 502-7, 44 05157) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, FEED 1 A//2▽420 U 0 SA. ƱTOPIA and FEED 1B//9▽420U 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.
