Vinyl pressings
by Captain Sensible · 1982
Happy Talk was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1982, 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.
AMCAP- 1- A1 TOWNHOUSE 4 0 ⋀Side A runout, variant 1
AMCAP ·1 B4 TOWNHOUSESide B runout, variant 1
AMCAP.1 A2 TOWNHOUSESide A runout, variant 2
AMCAP -1-B1 TOWNHOUSESide B runout, variant 2
CAPP-1-A1 TOWNHOUSERunout A etched (TOWNHOUSE stamped), variant 1
CAPP-1-B1 TOWNHOUSERunout B etched (TOWNHOUSE stamped), variant 1
CAPP-1-A1 10 TOWNHOUSE ∴Runout A etched (10 TOWNHOUSE ∴ stamped), variant 2
CAPP-1-A1 3 TOWNHOUSE ∴Runout A etched (3 TOWNHOUSE ∴ stamped), variant 2
AMCAP‧1 A4Runout side A, etched
AMCAP‧ 1‧ B1 TOWNHOUSERunout, side B, etched (TOWNHOUSE is stamped)
CAP 1-ASide A label
CAP 1-BSide B label
AMCAP•1- A3 ASide A runout
AMCAP-1-B1 TOWNHOUSE 13 FSide B runout
CAP 1-ASide A label
CAP 1-BSide B label
AM CAP-1-A1 TOWNHOUSE ⋀ 3Side A runout
AM CAP-1-B1 TOWNHOUSE ⋀ 3Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | A&M Records K-8807 / A&M Records CAP 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1982 | Australia | A&M Records K-8807First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Canada | A&M Records AM 2433First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Ireland | A&M Records CAP 1First year7" | 7" |
| 1982 | Ireland | A&M Records CAP 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Ireland | A&M Records CAP 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | New Zealand | A&M Records K 8807First year7", Limited Edition · Limited | 7", Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1982 | New Zealand | A&M Records K 8807First year7" | 7" |
| 1982 | South Africa | A&M Records AMRS 1387First year7" | 7" |
| 1982 | Spain | A&M Records AMS-9218First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Spain | A&M Records AMS-9218First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | UK | A&M Records CAPP 1First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | UK | A&M Records CAP 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1982 | UK | A&M Records CAP 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | UK | A&M Records CAP 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
21 vinyl pressings of Happy Talk are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1982 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, US, Europe, Australia and more. One of them is A&M Records CAP 1, released June 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CAP 1, CAPP 1, AM 2433-S, AM 2433) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AMCAP- 1- A1 TOWNHOUSE 4 0 ⋀ and AMCAP ·1 B4 TOWNHOUSE. 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.
