Vinyl pressings
by Billy Squier · 1984
Signs Of Life 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.
27 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 22 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.
ST-1-12361- Z9 STERLING ─◁Runout side A etched; stamped - Variant 1
ST-2-12361- ZI0 STERLING ─◁Runout side B etched; stamped - Variant 1
ST-1-12361- Z12 STERLING ─◁Runout side A etched; stamped - Variant 2
ST-1-12361- Z14 STERLING ─◁Runout side B etched; stamped - Variant 2
SJ-1-12361-Z5 #1 Sterling 0Variant 1: Side A Runout etched (except Sterling and 0 stamped)
SJ-2-12361-Z6 #2 Sterling 0Variant 1: Side B Runout etched (except Sterling and 0 stamped)
SJ-1-12361-Z2 #1 Sterling 0Variant 2: Side A Runout etched (except Sterling and 0 stamped)
SJ-2-12361-Z4 #2 Sterling 0Variant 2: Side B Runout etched (except Sterling and 0 stamped)
SJ-1-12361-Z3
SJ-2-12361-Z3
EJ 2401921T A-1-1-1-ISide A
EJ 2401921T B-1-1-I-5
ST 240192 A -MAXICUT-Hand Etched Side A
ST 240192 B -MAXICUT-Hand Etched 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Argentina | Capitol Records 81 2401921 / 8238First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | Capitol Records ST.240192First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Brazil | Capitol Records 31C 064 240192First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | Capitol Records SJ-12361First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | Capitol Records SJ-512361LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1984 | Canada | Capitol Records SJ-512361LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1984 | Colombia | Capitol Records 11987First yearLP | LP |
| 1984 | Europe | Capitol Records 1A 064-2401921First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | France | Capitol Records 2401921First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Greece | Capitol Records 062-2401192 1 / Capitol Records SJ-12361First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Greece | Capitol Records 062-2401921First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | India | Capitol Records SJ 12361First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Israel | Capitol Records SJ-12361First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Italy | EMI 64 2401921First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Mexico | Capitol Records SLEM-1218First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
32 vinyl pressings of Signs Of Life are listed here, from 22 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, Australia, Japan and more. One of them is Capitol Records SJ-12361.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SJ-12361, EJ 2401921, ST.240192, ECS-81672) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-1-12361- Z9 STERLING ─◁ and ST-2-12361- ZI0 STERLING ─◁. 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.
