Vinyl pressings
by Billy Ray Cyrus · 1992
Achy Breaky Heart was first pressed on vinyl in 1992. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1992, the album's first year, in 5 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.
864054-7-A2Runout side A, stamped variant 1
864054-7-B2Runout side B, stamped variant 1
864054-7-A1Runout side A, stamped variant 2
864054-7-B1Runout side B, stamped variant 2
MER 373 A2Etched A
MER 373 B1Etched B
MER 373 A2Side A Runout, Etched
MER 373 B1Side B Runout, Etched
[SNA logo]Side A&B Runouts, Stamped
MER 373 A2Side A Runout, Etched
MER 373 B1Side B Runout, Etched
[SNA logo]Side A&B Runouts, Stamped
SRC 8̶6̶6̶ ̶5̶2̶2̶-̶7̶ ̶A̶S̶-̶S̶P̶ 1-1 866-522-7-AS-SPA-Side Runout Etching
SRC 866 522-7 BS-SP 1-1B-Side Runout Etching
92-3614A-Side Label
92-3615B-Side Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Europe | Mercury 864 054-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1992 | France | Mercury 2252First year12" | 12" |
| 1992 | France | Mercury 864 054-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1992 | Philippines | Dyna Products, Inc. / MercuryFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1992 | UK | Mercury MER 373 / Mercury 864 054-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1992 | UK | Mercury MER 373 / Mercury 864 054-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1992 | UK | Mercury MER 373 / Mercury 864 054-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1992 | US | Mercury 866 522-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1993 | Philippines | Mercury PLC 93-003 / Polycosmic Records PLC 93-0037", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1993 | Philippines | Mercury P12-00412", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1993 | Philippines | Polycosmic Records PLC 93-0037", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
11 vinyl pressings of Achy Breaky Heart are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1992 and 1993.
The earliest pressings are from 1992, in Europe, UK, US, France and more. One of them is Mercury 864 054-7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 864 054-7, MER 373, 866 522-7, 2252) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 864054-7-A2 and 864054-7-B2. 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.
