Vinyl pressings
by Camouflage · 1988
Strangers Thoughts was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 6 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.
887 342 - 1 S 1 3 20Runout side A, variant 1
887 342 - 1 S 2 3 20Runout side B, variant 1
887 342 - 1 S 1 320 1 IIRunout side A, variant 2
887 342 - 1 S 2 320 1 IIRunout side B, variant 2
887 342 - 7 S 1 3 20 H 1Runout side A, stamped, variant 1
887 342 - 7 S 2 3 20 1Runout side B, stamped, variant 1
887 342 - 7 S 1 3 20 C 1Runout side A, stamped, variant 2
887 342 - 7 S 2 3 20 1 CRunout side B, stamped, variant 2
887 342-7 S1 3 20 A 1Runout Side A, Variant 1
887 342-7 S2 3 20 C 1Runout Side B, Variant 1
887 342-7 S1 3 20 1 BRunout Side A, Variant 2
887 342-7 S2 3 20 1 ARunout Side B, Variant 2
546 8873427 A PDOSide A
546 8873427 A PDOSide B
887342.7.A1 5.4.88 METRONOMESide A runout
887342.7.B1 5.4.88 METRONOMESide B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Denmark | Mega Records MRCX 122296First year12" | 12" |
| 1988 | Germany | Metronome 887 342-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1988 | Portugal | Metronome 887 342-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Scandinavia | Mega Records MRCS 2296First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Spain | Metronome 887 342-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Spain | Metronome 887 342-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | France | Metronome 887 342-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Germany | Metronome 887 342-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Germany | Metronome 887 342-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Worldwide | Polydor 573 6813 / Universal Music Group 573 681310", 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Single, Limited Edition, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | 10", 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Single, Limited Edition, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
10 vinyl pressings of Strangers Thoughts are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1988 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in Germany, France, Denmark, Portugal and more. One of them is Metronome 887 342-1, released February 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 887 342-1, 887 342-7, MRCX 122296, MRCS 2296) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 887 342 - 1 S 1 3 20 and 887 342 - 1 S 2 3 20. 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.
