Vinyl pressings
by Bruce Springsteen · 1984
Cover Me 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.
48 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 16 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.
P ZSS-171871-1E MASTERDISK RLVariant 1, runout A etched, 'MASTERDISK' stamped
MASTERDISK P ZSS-171872-1CVariant 1, runout B etched, 'MASTERDISK' stamped
P ZSS-171871-1C MASTERDISK RLVariant 2, runout A etched, 'MASTERDISK' stamped
MASTERDISK P ZSS-171872-1BVariant 2, runout B etched, 'MASTERDISK' stamped
XSS-171948-1G STERLING P OSide A Etched [STERLING, O stamped], variant 1
XSS-171949-1B STERLING P OSide B Etched [STERLING, O stamped], variant 1
XSS-171948-1G STERLING A P oSide A Etched [STERLING, A, o stamped], variant 2
XSS-171949-1B STERLING A o PSide B Etched [STERLING, A, o stamped], variant 2
ZSS-171871-1AA D G1Runout Side A
ZSS-171872-2AC D G1Runout Side B
ZSS 171871Side A label
ZSS 171872Side B label
P ZSS 171871-1E [MASTERDISK] RLVariant 1, runout side A, etched [stamped]
P ZSS 171872-2a [MASTERDISK]Variant 1, runout side B, etched [stamped]
P ZSS 171871-1E [MASTERDISK] RLVariant 2, runout side A, etched [stamped]
P ZSS 171872-1C [MASTERDISK]Variant 2, runout side B, etched [stamped]
STERLINGBoth Sides - Stamped (Matrix 1 & 2)
XSS-171948-1F GI A9Matrix 1 - Side A - Etched
XSS-171949-1D GI B6Matrix 1 - Side B - Etched
XSS-171948-1F G1 A20Matrix 2 - Side A - Etched
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 | Australia | CBS BA 12100First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Australia | CBS BA 223223First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Australia | CBS BA12100First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | CBS BA 223223First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Canada | Columbia 38-04561First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Costa Rica | CBS 7012880First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Costa Rica | CBS 7012880First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Europe | CBS CBSA 12.4662 / CBS A 12.4662First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | CBS CBSA 12.4662 / CBS A 12.4662First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Greece | CBS CASA 12.4662First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Ireland | CBS CBS A 4662First year7" | 7" |
| 1984 | Ireland | CBS CBS QTA 4662First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP |
| 1984 | Italy | CBS CBS A 4662First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1984 | Japan | CBS/Sony 12AP 2930First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Japan | CBS/Sony 07SP 831First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | CBS CBSA 12.466212", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Repress | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Repress |
| ? | Spain | CBS CBS A 46627", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
56 vinyl pressings of Cover Me are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, Europe, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia 38-04561, released July 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 38-04561, 44-05087, 13-08409, A 4662) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P ZSS-171871-1E MASTERDISK RL and MASTERDISK P ZSS-171872-1C. 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.
