Vinyl pressings
by Big Country · 1986
Look Away was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
40 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 16 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.
BIGC 1 A // 420 C 1 1 4 timtomRunout side A, variant 1
BIGC 1 B // 1 ∇ 420 C 1 1 1 5Runout side B, variant 1
BIGC 1 A // 4 ∇ 420 C 1 1 4 timtomRunout side A, variant 2
BIGC 1 B // 2 ∇ 420 C 1 1 8 TYRunout side B, variant 2
BIGC 1 A // 4 ▽ 420 C TimTomSide A
BIGC 1 B // 1 ▽ 420 CSide B
BIGCD 1 A // 2 ▽ 420 C TimTomSide C
BIGCD 1 B // 2 ▽ 420 CSide D
BIGCX 1 A // ∇420 C 1 1 timtomRunout side A, variant 1
BIGCX 1 B // ∇420 C 11 1 TYRunout side B, variant 1
BIGCX 1 A // 2 ∇420 C 1 1 1 0 timtomRunout side A, variant 2
BIGCX 1 B // 2 ∇420 C 11 TYRunout side B, variant 2
BIGCX 11 A // 2 ∇ 420 C 11 1 timtomSide A runout
BIGCX 11 B // 1 ∇ 420 H 11 1Side B runout
BIGC-1A-3 ORLAKESide A runout
BIG C-1B-3 ORLAKESide B runout
BIGCX 11 A // 2 ▽ 420 C 1 1 timtomSide A runout
BIGCX 11 B // 1 ▽ 420 H 1 1Side B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australasia | Mercury 884 698-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Australia | Mercury 884 645-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Canada | Vertigo SOVX 2365First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1986 | Canada | Vertigo SOV 2365First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Canada | Vertigo DJV 192First year12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| 1986 | Europe | Mercury 884 698-1First year12", 45 RPM, EP, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Mercury 884 645-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | France | Mercury 884 698-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | France | Mercury 884 645-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | France | Mercury 884645 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Germany | Mercury 884 645-7 / Mercury 884 645-7QFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Germany | Mercury 884 698-1 / Mercury 884 698-1QFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Ireland | Mercury BIGC 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Italy | Mercury 884 645-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Japan | Mercury 7PP-205First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
41 vinyl pressings of Look Away are listed here, from 16 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, Australasia, Australia and more. One of them is Mercury BIGC 1, released April 4, 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BIGC 1, BIG CD1, BIG CX1, BIGCX 11) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BIGC 1 A // 420 C 1 1 4 timtom and BIGC 1 B // 1 ∇ 420 C 1 1 1 5. 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.
