Vinyl pressings
by Cliff Richard · 1980
I'm No Hero was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
39 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 26 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.
EMA 796 A-5U 7 1Stamped runout, side A, variant 1
JONZEtched runout, side A, variant 1
EMA 796 B-3U 7 1Stamped runout, side B, variant 1
SOUND CLINICEtched runout, side B, variant 1
1 EMA 796 A-5U JONZSide A runout
1 EMA 796 B-3U SOUND CLINICSide B runout
EMA 796 A-5U 42 JONZ 2Side A runout
EMA 796 B-3U 11 SOUND CLINIC 2Side B runout
EMA.796ASide A label
EMA.796BSide B label
SW-1-17039-2̶ F2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL cx KPRunout A, Variant 1
SW-2-17039-2̶ F2 KP cx MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout B, Variant 1
N-47 SW-1-17039-2̶ F4 MASTERED BY CAPITOL KPRunout A, Variant 2
N-47 SW-2-17039-2̶ F4 KP MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout B, Variant 2
SW-1-17039-Z-5 3 ✲ ✲ Ⓧ UASide A runout
SW-2-17039-2-P-10 · Ⓧ 1 ✲Side B runout
(SW-1-17039)Side A matrix center label
(SW-2-17039)Side B matrix center label
SW-1-17039-Z-5 · 2 ✲ ✲ Ⓧ UARunout Side A
SW-2-17039-Z-5 ·1 ✲ ✲ Ⓧ UARunout Side B
(SW-1-17039)Label Side A
(SW-2-17039)Label Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Argentina | EMI 8926First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Australia | EMI Records Australia EMA-796 / EMI Records Australia EMA.796First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Australia | EMI EMA-796 / EMI EMA.796First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Austria | EMI 1C 064-07 342LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1980 | Brazil | EMI 064-07 342First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | EMI America SW-17039First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | EMI America SW-17039First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | EMI America SW-17039First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Colombia | EMI 11815First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | France | EMI 1A 062-07342LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1980 | France | EMI 2C 070 07342 / EMI 2C 070-07.342First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | EMI 1C 064-07 342 / EMI Electrola 1C 064-07 342First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | EMI F 667.641First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | EMI 1C 064-07 342 / EMI Electrola 1C 064-07 342LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1980 | Germany | EMI Electrola 1C 064-07342 / EMI 1C 064-07 342First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
46 vinyl pressings of I'm No Hero are listed here, from 28 countries, released between 1980 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, Germany, South Korea and more. One of them is EMI EMA 796, released September 1, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMA 796, SW-17039, 1C 064-07 342, OLE-350) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMA 796 A-5U 7 1 and JONZ. 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.
