Vinyl pressings
by Big Pig · 1986
Hungry Town 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.
5 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 4 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.
SMX67225 2:56 AP P2ASide A runout groove hand-etched
SMX67226 P2A 2:56 AP.Side B runout groove hand-etched
MX-67225Side A label
MX-67226Side B label
390 261 - 7 S 1 320Runout side A
390 261 - 7 S 2 320Runout side B
390 261 - 7 S 1 320Runout side A
390 261 - 7 S 2 320Runout side B
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 | Europe | A&M Records 390 261-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Germany | A&M Records 390 261-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | A&M Records AM-1216First yearSingle, 45 RPM, 7" | Single, 45 RPM, 7" |
| 1986 | US | A&M Records AM-1216First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Australia & New Zealand | White Label Records K120First yearSingle, 45 RPM, 7" | Single, 45 RPM, 7" |
| 1987 | Germany | A&M Records 392 261-112", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Spain | A&M Records 392 261-112", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | A&M Records AMY 44612", Reissue | 12", Reissue |
| 1987 | UK | A&M Records AMY 40912", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | A&M Records AM 446 / A&M Records AM4467", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | A&M Records AM 4097", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | A&M Records AMY 40912", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Canada | A&M Records SP-1227012", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1988 | Spain | A&M Records 390 261-77", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | US | A&M Records SP-1227012", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
18 vinyl pressings of Hungry Town are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1986 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in Australia & New Zealand, US, Europe, Germany. One of them is White Label Records K120, released October 2, 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use K120, AM-1216, 390 261-7) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SMX67225 2:56 AP P2A and SMX67226 P2A 2:56 AP.. 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.
