Vinyl pressings
by Chris de Burgh · 1986
Fire On The Water was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 13 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.
390 099-7 S 1 320 1 GRunout side A stamped, variant 1
390 099-1 S 2 320 1 FRunout side B stamped, variant 1
390 099-7 S 1 320 1 Z BRunout side A stamped, variant 2
390 099-7 S 2 320 1 Z ARunout side B stamped, variant 2
AM 317 A // 2 ▽ 420 C 1 1 1 TimTomRunout (Stamped/Etched) Side A
AM 317 B // 1 ▽ 420 C 1 1 4Runout (Stamped) Side B
AMY 317 A//1▽420 C timtomRunout side A
AMY 317 B//1▽420 CRunout side B
AM706ASide A label
AM706BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Canada | A&M Records AM 706First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Canada | A&M Records SP 23041First year12" | 12" |
| 1986 | Europe | A&M Records 392 099-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | France | A&M Records 390 099-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | France | A&M Records 390 099-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | Germany | A&M Records 390 099-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Ireland | A&M Records AM 317First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | New Zealand | A&M Records K9992First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Portugal | A&M Records 390 099-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | South Africa | A&M Records AMRS 1504First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Spain | A&M Records 390 099-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | A&M Records AMY 317First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | US | A&M Records SP-17396First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1986 | Zimbabwe | A&M Records AMRS 1504First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | UK | A&M Records AM 317First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
16 vinyl pressings of Fire On The Water are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in Germany, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is A&M Records 390 099-7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 390 099-7, AM 317, AMY 317, SP-17396) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 390 099-7 S 1 320 1 G and 390 099-1 S 2 320 1 F. 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.
