Vinyl pressings
by Broken English · 1987
Comin' On Strong was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 9 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.
EM 5 A-1-1-Q2-1 PENTHOUSEVersion 1 - A-side - stamped
EM 5 B-1-1-Q2-1 0Version 1 - B-side - stamped
EM 5 A-1-1-Q3-13 PenthouseVersion 2 - A-side - stamped
EM 5 B-1-1-Q3-14Version 2 - B-side - stamped
12EM 5 A-1-1-1-13 Nickz Penthouse THANX - OLLIE COLIN + BRAD LOVE TO FERNANDA XL 10Runout side A
12EM 5 B-1-1-1-12 PenthouseRunout side B
EMP 5 A ORLAKERunout side A, variant 1
EMP 5 A ORLAKERunout side B, variant 1
EMP 5 A1 · ORLAKE ·Runout side A, variant 2
EMP 5 B2 · ORLAKE ·Runout side B, variant 2
EM 5 A-1-1-Q2-1 PENTHOUSERunout stamped side A
EM 5 B-1-1-Q2-1 0Runout stamped side B
THANKX TO OLLIE, COLIN + BRAD LOTS OF LOVE TO FERNANDA XC 10Runout etched side A
EM 5 A-1-1-1- 2 THANKX TO OLLIE COLIN + BRAD Penthouse LOTS OF LOVE TO FERNANDA X c 10Side A runout
EM 5 B-1-1-1 - 4Side B runout
EM 5ASide A label
EM 5BSide B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Canada | Capitol Records S-75198First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Canada | EMI SPRO-730307", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo |
| 1987 | Canada | Capitol Records B-73030First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Europe | EMI 1C 006 20 1829 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | EMI K 060 20 1830 6 / EMI 20 1830 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Ireland | EMI EM 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Italy | EMI 14 2018306 / EMI 142018306First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Italy | EMI 06 2018297First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Portugal | EMI 2018297 / EMI 2018297First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | South Africa | EMI EMIJ 2018297First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Spain | Hispavox 549 2018306First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | EMI EM 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | EMI 12 EM 5 / EMI 12EM 5First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | EMI EMP 5First year7", 45 RPM, Shape, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Shape, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1987 | UK | EMI 12EM 5 A12", 45 RPM, Promo, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing, Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing, Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | EMI EMI 19847", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
20 vinyl pressings of Comin' On Strong are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1987 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, Canada, Europe, Germany and more. One of them is EMI EM 5.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EM 5, 12 EM 5, EMP 5, EMM 5) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EM 5 A-1-1-Q2-1 PENTHOUSE and EM 5 B-1-1-Q2-1 0. 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.
