Vinyl pressings
by Daryl Hall & John Oates · 1985
Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 8 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.
J̶R̶-̶1̶4̶0̶3̶8̶-̶A̶1̶ ̶2̶ PW 14039A -2 A I B MASTERDISKSide A - Etched [A I MASTERDISK - Stamped]
PW-14036-B 2 I MASTERDISK A1 GSide B - Etched [I A1 MASTERDISK - Stamped]
PB-14035-A I ELA-Δ 110025 I A2 MASTERDISKEtched Side A, except I A2 MASTERDISK stamped
PB-14035-B2 MASTERDISK ELA-Δ110025X IEtched Side B, except MASTERDISK stamped
PB-14035-A1̶ 2 I A1 MASTERDISKRunout A
PB-14035-B1̶ 1 MASTERDISK I A1Runout B
PB-14035- ̶B̶ A4 MASTERDISKRunout A
PB-14035-B4 MASTERDISKRunout B
MASTERDISK PB-14035-A1⃫ 2 ELA- △ 110025 I A 2Runout A etched (ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴅɪsᴋ I A 2 stamps)
MASTERDISK PB-14035-2 ELA - △ 110025 MASTERDISKRunout B etched (ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴅɪsᴋ stamp)
PB-14035-ABoth labels
J̶R̶-̶1̶4̶0̶3̶8̶-̶A̶1̶ ̶2̶ PW 14036A-2 AIB MASTERDISKRunout side A etched, except Masterdisk
PW-14036-B 1 AIDRunout side B etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | RCA Victor 104416First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Australia | RCA Victor PW 14036First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Canada | RCA PB-14035First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | El Salvador | RCA RUS-103First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Germany | RCA PT 49988 / RCA Victor PT 49988First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Germany | RCA PB 49989 / RCA Victor PB 49989First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Germany | RCA PT 49988 / RCA Victor PT 4998812", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | Japan | RCA RPS-1012First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1985 | Japan | RCA RPS-1012First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Peru | RCA 01.44.710152First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Peru | RCA 01.44.710152First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Spain | RCA PB-4035First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | Spain | RCA PB-4035First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Spain | RCA PC-4036First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | US | RCA JW-14036 / RCA PW 14036First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
25 vinyl pressings of Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, Canada, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is RCA PW 14036, released March 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PW 14036, PB-14035, JK-14035, JW-14036) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, J̶R̶-̶1̶4̶0̶3̶8̶-̶A̶1̶ ̶2̶ PW 14039A -2 A I B MASTERDISK and PW-14036-B 2 I MASTERDISK A1 G. 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.
