UK
October 10, 1983- Label and catalog number
- Virgin VP2285
- Format
- LP, Album, Picture Disc
- Runout / matrix
VP2285ADisc, side A
VP2285BDisc, side B
VP-2285-A B ORLAKERunout, side A
VP-2285-B Δ ORLAKERunout, side B
Vinyl pressings
Colour By Numbers
by Culture Club · 1983
77 pressings39 countriesNew WaveReggae-PopSynth-popPop
Colour By Numbers 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.
How to spot a first pressing of Colour By Numbers
54 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 32 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.
UK
October 10, 1983- Label and catalog number
- Virgin V 2285Virgin V2285
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · EMI Pressing
- Runout / matrix
V 2285 A-2U-1-3 timtom - cbsRunout, A-side, stamped/etched - variant 1
V 2285 B-2U-1-3 TY - cbsRunout, B-side, stamped/etched - variant 1
V 2285 A-1U-1-2 timtom - cbsRunout, A-side, stamped/etched - variant 2
V 2285 B-1U-1-2 TY - cbsRunout, B-side, stamped/etched - variant 2
UK
1983- Label and catalog number
- Virgin V 2285Virgin V2285
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
V 2285 A PD-CRRunout, A-side, stamped/etched
V 2285 B PD-CRRunout, B-side, stamped/etched
V2285ASide A label
V2285BSide B label
US
October 13, 1983- Label and catalog number
- Virgin QE 39107Epic QE 39107
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Pitman Pressing, Black Label
- Runout / matrix
P o AL-39107-1B 1 ☆ STERLINGRunout side A - variant 1
P o BL-39107-1A 1 STERLINGRunout side B - variant 1
P o AL-39107-1T STERLINGRunout side A - variant 2
P BL-39107-1Q ☆ STERLINGRunout side B - variant 2
US
October 13, 1983- Label and catalog number
- Virgin QE 39107Epic QE 39107
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Pitman Pressing, Blue Label, Small Logo
- Runout / matrix
P AL-39107-1B ☆ A STERLINGSide A runout - Variant 1
P BL-39107-1A 1 STERLINGSide B runout - variant 1
AL-39107-1L ☆ STERLING A G | PSide A runout - Variant 2
P BL-39107-1A ☆ STERLING D PSide A runout - Variant 2
US
1983- Label and catalog number
- Epic QE 39107Virgin QE 39107
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Pitman Pressing
- Runout / matrix
o P AL-39107-1C STERLING F G2Side A runout variant 1
P o BL-39107-1B ☆STERLING oSide B runout variant 1
P AL-39107-1C STERLING G o G2Side A runout variant 2
P o BL-39107-1A l STERLINGSide B runout variant 2
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 77 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s69 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Unknown | Virgin 40 276 8LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1983 | Australia | Virgin V2285First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Barbados | Virgin DXL13249First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Virgin VL 2271First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Virgin VL 2271First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Virgin VL 2271First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | El Salvador | RCA Victor VIL-01First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Virgin 205 730 / Virgin V 2285First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Virgin V 2285 / Virgin 205 730First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Sonocord 28552-8LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1983 | Europe | Virgin V 2285 / Virgin 205 730First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Virgin V 2285 / Virgin V2285First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Virgin 205 730 / Virgin V 2285First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | France | Virgin 205 730First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Virgin V2285 / Virgin 205 730First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
2010s4 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Europe | Universal MOVLP1585 / Music On Vinyl MOVLP1585LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2016 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP1585 / Universal Music MOVLP1585LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2016 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP1585 / Universal Music MOVLP1585LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2016 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP1585 / Universal Music MOVLP1585LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
2020s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Worldwide | EMI 5882877 / Universal Music Recordings 00602458828771LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
Year unknown3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Spain | Virgin I-205.730LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Spain | Virgin I-205.730 / Virgin I-205730LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Venezuela | Virgin VIRGIN-1502 / Virgin 39107LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
Tracklist
- A1Karma Chameleon4:11
- A2It's A Miracle3:25
- A3Black Money5:19
- A4Changing Every Day3:18
- A5That's The Way (I'm Only Trying To Help You)2:46
- B6Church Of The Poison Mind3:29
- B7Miss Me Blind4:31
- B8Mister Man3:36
- B9Stormkeeper2:47
- B10Victims4:56
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Colour By Numbers are there?
77 vinyl pressings of Colour By Numbers are listed here, from 39 countries, released between 1983 and 2024.
When was Colour By Numbers first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Italy, Australia and more. One of them is Virgin VP2285, released October 10, 1983.
How do I tell if my copy of Colour By Numbers is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VP2285, V 2285, QE 39107, V2285) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VP2285A and VP2285B. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Colour By Numbers on vinyl worth?
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.
