Vinyl pressings
by Billy Ocean · 1977
Red Light Spells Danger was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 12 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.
GT 85 A // 1 UT.Runout A side, variant 1
GT 85 B // 1 UT.Runout B side, variant 1
GT 85 A // 1 UT 1 3 [lyre symbol] 21Runout A side, variant 2
GT 85 B // 1 UT 1 1 9Runout B side, variant 2
GT 85 A // 1 UT 1 2 [lyre symbol] 11Runout side A, stamped, except [lyre symbol] etched variant 1
GT 85 B // 1 UT 1 2 6Runout B-side stamped,variant 1
GT 85 A // 1 UT 1 [lyre symbol] 25Runout side A, stamped, except [lyre symbol] etched variant 2
GT 85 B // 1 UT 1 6 1 8Runout B-side stamped,variant 2
6TS85 A//1 UT 1 1 LESRunout side A
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Belgium | GTO 2099 185First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Brazil | GTO 2099 185First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1977 | France | GTO 2099 185First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | GTO 2099 185First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | GTO 2099 185First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Ireland | GTO GT 85 (2099 185)First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Italy | GTO 2099 185First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Netherlands | GTO 2099 185First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Netherlands | GTO 2099 185First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | New Zealand | GTO 2099 185First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Rhodesia | Polydor PS 469First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | South Africa | GTO PS 469First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1977 | UK | GTO GTS 85First year12", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | UK | GTO GT 85 / GTO 2099 185First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | UK | GTO GT 85 / GTO 2099 185First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Netherlands | BR Music 125603812", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Netherlands | BR Music 560387", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Denmark | Mega Records MRCS 22917", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Europe | Transparent 572 20 825 / Transparent 572 208257", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Germany | Transparent 572 20 82112", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1988 | Scandinavia | Mega Records MRCX12229112", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1988 | Spain | Fonomusic 03.32807", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | GTO 2099 1857", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Japan | GTO DWQ-60397", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Japan | GTO DWQ-60397", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
28 vinyl pressings of Red Light Spells Danger are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1977 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, US, Belgium, Brazil and more. One of them is GTO GT 85.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GT 85, GTS 85, 8-50396, 2099 185) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, GT 85 A // 1 UT. and GT 85 B // 1 UT.. 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.
