Vinyl pressings
by David Bowie · 1985
Loving The Alien 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.
41 pressings came out in 1985, 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.
EA 195 A-2-1-1-1-1 NICKZ DRunout side A, variant 1
EA 195 B-2-1-1-1 DRunout side B, variant 1
EA 195 A-1-1-1-2 D NICKZRunout side A, variant 2
EA 195 B-1-1-1-2 DRunout side B, variant 2
12 EA 195 A-1-1-2-1 D NICKZRunout side A, variant 1
12 EA 195 B-2-1-2-4 D NICKZRunout side B, variant 1
12 EA 195 A-1-1-1-1- D NICKZRunout side A, variant 2
12 EA 195 B-2-1-2-5 D NICKZRunout side B, variant 2
EA 195 B-1-1- Q3A-side runout, variant 1
EA 195 B-1-1- Q4B-side runout, variant 1
EA 195 B-1-1- Q3 - 9 NICKZ DA-side runout, variant 2
EA 195 B-1-1- Q4 - 5 DB-side runout, variant 2
12+EAP+195+ARunout side A, etched
12+EAP+195+B ORLAKERunout side B, etched
EAP+195+ARunout side A, etched
EAP+195+B ORLAKERunout side B, etched
EA 195 B-1-1- Q3 - 16 NICKZ dSide A runout, stamped
EA 195 B-1-1- Q4 - 4Side B runout, stamped
EA 195 A-1-1- Q4- 1 NICKZ DSide A runout, variant 2
EA 195 B-1-1- Q4- 4 DSide 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.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | EMI America AMI-1484First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Australia | EMI America ED.106First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Australia | EMI America AMI-1484First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | Australia | EMI America AMI-1484First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Canada | EMI America VG 75105 / EMI America VG-75105First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1985 | Canada | EMI America BG-8271First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Europe | EMI America 1C K 060-20 0600 6First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Europe | EMI America 1C 006 20 0599 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | EMI America 1A 006-20 0599 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | EMI America 2005997First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | EMI America 1549806First year12" | 12" |
| 1985 | France | EMI America 2005997", Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | France | EMI America 1549806First year12", Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | EMI America 20059977", Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | Ireland | EMI America EA 195First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
43 vinyl pressings of Loving The Alien are listed here, from 14 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Europe, Japan and more. One of them is EMI America EA 195, released May 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EA 195, 12EA 195, 12EAP 195, EAP 195) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EA 195 A-2-1-1-1-1 NICKZ D and EA 195 B-2-1-1-1 D. 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.
