Vinyl pressings
by David Bowie · 1983
Modern Love 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.
41 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 14 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 158 A-1-1-1-5 STEVE'SA-side runout, stamped/etched, variant 1
EA 158 B-1U-1-1-3B-side runout, stamped, variant 1
EA 158 A-1-1-4-5 STEVE'SA-side runout, stamped/etched, variant 2
EA 158 B-2-U1-1-21B-side runout, stamped, variant 2
EA 158 A-1-1-1-10 STEVE'S.Side A runout variant 1
EA 158 B-2U-1-3-10Side B runout variant 1
EA 158 A-1-1-1-14 STEVE'S.Side A runout variant 2
EA 158 B-1U-1-4-13Side B runout variant 2
EA 158 A-1-1-1 - 1C STEVE'SRunout, Side A
EA 158 B-2U-1-1 - 2CRunout, Side B
12 EA 158 A-1-1-1-1 NICKZSide A
12 EA 158 B-1-1-1-1Side B
12EA 158ALabel Side A
12EA 158BLabel Side B
EA 158 A-2-1-1 STEVE'S
EA 158 B-1-1- 1
STEVE'SA-side runout etched
EA 158 A-3-1-1--X1A-side runout stamped
EA 158 B-2-U1-3-1B-side runout stamped
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 | EMI America AMI-1101First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Australia | EMI America AMI-1101First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Canada | EMI America 75042First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Canada | EMI America B-8177First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Canada | EMI America B-8177First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Canada | EMI America B-8177First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Canada | EMI America B-8177First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Europe | EMI America 1A 006-1867627First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | EMI America 1A K052-1867626First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Europe | EMI America 1A 006-18676277", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Promo |
| 1983 | Europe | EMI America 1A K052-186762612", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1983 | France | EMI America 1867627First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | France | EMI America 1545296 / Pathé Marconi EMI 1545296First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | France | EMI America 154529612", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1983 | France | EMI America 18676277", Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Poland | Morgot Records 029Flexi-disc, 6½", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided, Card Backed, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | Flexi-disc, 6½", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided, Card Backed, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
54 vinyl pressings of Modern Love are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1983 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Germany, Australia and more. One of them is EMI America EA 158, released September 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EA 158, 12EA 158, B-8177, 7811) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EA 158 A-1-1-1-5 STEVE'S and EA 158 B-1U-1-1-3. 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.
