Australasia
1987- Label and catalog number
- EMI America AMI 1987
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
AMI 1987 A TPSide 1: Etched
AMI 1987 BSide 2: Etched
Vinyl pressings
Never Let Me Down
by David Bowie · 1987
39 pressings15 countriesPop RockRock
Never Let Me Down was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. 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 Never Let Me Down
37 pressings came out in 1987, 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.
UK
1987- Label and catalog number
- EMI America 12EA 239
- Format
- 12", Single
- Runout / matrix
12 EA 239 A-1-1-1- . 1 DDRunout Side A
12 EA 239 B-2-1-1-1- DRunout Side B
UK
1987- Label and catalog number
- EMI America EA 239
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single
- Runout / matrix
EA 239 A-1-1-1-1 1- DD JUST FOR EMMARunout side A, variant 1
EA 239BA̶-1-1-1-1-4 DDRunout side B, variant 1
EA 239 A-1-1-1-2 DD JUST FOR EMMARunout side A, variant 2
EA 239BA̶-1-1-2-4 DRunout side B, variant 2
UK
1987- Label and catalog number
- EMI America EAP 239
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
EAP 239 A2 ORLAKERunout side A, etched
EAP 239 B2 ORLAKERunout side B, etched
EAP 239(A)Label side A
EAP 239(B)Label side B
UK
1987- Label and catalog number
- EMI America 12EA 239
- Format
- 12", White Label · Generic sleeve
- Runout / matrix
A-2-1-1- X1 DD NIC12Side A runout, stamped / etched
B-1-1-1.1 DSide B runout, stamped
US
1987- Label and catalog number
- EMI America V-19255
- Format
- 12", 33 ⅓ RPM
- Runout / matrix
V-1-19255-Z2Variant 1, Side A etched
MASTERDISKVariant 1, Side A stamped
V-2-19255-Z1Variant 1, Side B etched
V-1-19255-Z2 1-1 RLVariant 2, Side A, etched
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 39 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s39 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australasia | EMI America AMI 1987First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Australia | EMI America ED 300First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Brazil | EMI America 9951 052First year12", Promo, Single, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, Single, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| 1987 | Canada | EMI America S 75203First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Canada | EMI America B-43031First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | EMI America 20 2030 6 / EMI America K 060 20 2023 6First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | EMI America 006-20 1996 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | EMI America 1C 006 20 1996 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | EMI America 1C 006 20 1996 7 / EMI America 006 20 1996 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | EMI America 006-20 1996 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | France | EMI America 2019967First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | France | EMI America 20 2030 6 / EMI America 2020306First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | France | EMI America SP 1330First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1987 | France | EMI America 20199677", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1987 | Germany | Not On Label 20 2030 612", 45 RPM, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
Tracklist
- ANever Let Me Down (Single Version)4:04
- B'87 And Cry (Single Version)3:52
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Never Let Me Down are there?
39 vinyl pressings of Never Let Me Down are listed here, from 15 countries.
When was Never Let Me Down first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in Australasia, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is EMI America AMI 1987.
How do I tell if my copy of Never Let Me Down is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMI 1987, 12EA 239, EA 239, EAP 239) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AMI 1987 A TP and AMI 1987 B. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Never Let Me Down 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.
