Vinyl pressings
by Chris Rea · 1983
I Can Hear Your Heart Beat was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
32 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 12 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.
12‧MAG‧244‧A1 A 1 DAMONT STRAWBERRY/STEVE. + MT. 2Runout A
12‧MAG‧244‧B1 1 DAMONT A ̶1̶ MT. 1 STRAWBERRYRunout B
12 MAG 244 ALabel A
12 MAG 244 BLabel B
MAG 244 A-2U-1-1-8A-side runout, stamped
MAG 244 B-2U-1-1-1B-side runout, stamped
MAG 244 A-2U-1-1-8Side A runout
MAG 244 B-2U-1-1-1Side B runout
MAG 244 ASide A label
MAG 244 BSide B label
12•MAG•244•A1 DAMONT STRAWBERRY/STEVE +MT.2Side A runout
12•MAG244•B1 STRAWBERRY DAMONT A MT.1Side B runout
12 MAG 244 ASide A label
12 MAG 244 BSide B label
MAG 244 A-2U-1-1-5Side A runout
MAG 244 B-2U-1-1-0Side B runout
MAG 244 ASide A label
MAG 244 BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Magnet K-9153First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Benelux | Magnet 600 985First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Benelux | Magnet 105.451First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Brazil | Young 301.7063First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Canada | Magnet MAGE-256First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1983 | Canada | Magnet MAG-244First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Canada | Magnet MAGE-244First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | France | Flarenasch 722.741 / Magnet 722 741First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1983 | France | Flarenasch 721 741 / Magnet 721 741First year7" | 7" |
| 1983 | France | Magnet 720.741First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | France | Flarenasch 721 741 / Magnet 721.741First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | France | Flarenasch 721 741 / Magnet 721.741First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Germany | Magnet 6.20 225 / Magnet 6.20225 AEFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Magnet 6.13 791 / Magnet 6.13791First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Magnet 6.13 791 / Magnet 6.13791 ACFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
33 vinyl pressings of I Can Hear Your Heart Beat are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1983 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, Australia, Benelux, Brazil and more. One of them is Magnet 12 MAG 244.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 12 MAG 244, MAG 244D, MAG 244, mag 244) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 12‧MAG‧244‧A1 A 1 DAMONT STRAWBERRY/STEVE. + MT. 2 and 12‧MAG‧244‧B1 1 DAMONT A ̶1̶ MT. 1 STRAWBERRY. 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.
