Vinyl pressings
by David Bowie · 1984
Tonight was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
43 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 31 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.
EL 2402271T A - 1 - 1 - 2 - NICKZSide A runout, variant 1
EL 2402271T B - 3 - 1 - 2 -Side B runout, variant 1
EL 2402271T A-1-1-4-13 D NICKZSide A runout, variant 2
EL 2402271T B-3-1-4-2 DSide B runout, variant 2
LP FB|2Runout, side A
EL 2402271T B-2-1-2- : NICKZ DRunout, side B
EL 2402271T A-1-1-2- D NICKZSide A runout
EL 2402271T B-3-1-2 DSide B runout
EL 2402271T A-1-1-2- D NICKZ 1 2 D CSide A runout
EL 2402271T B-3-1-2 D 1 2 D CSide B runout
SJ-1-17138-Z-5-#1 MASTERDISK RLVariant 2, side A runout
SJ-2-17138-Z-1-#3 MASTERDISK RLVariant 2, side B runout
SJ-2-17138-Z-12 MASTERDISK RLVariant 3, side A runout
SJ-2-17138-Z-15 # 2 MASTERDISK RLVariant 3, side B runout
SJ-1-17138-Z-17 #2 MASTERDISK RL —◁A Side var. 1
SJ-2-17138-Z-2 #4 —◁ MASTERDISK RLB Side var. 1
SJ-1-17138-Z-11 # 8 MASTERDISK RL • —◁A Side var. 2
SJ-1-17138-Z-11 # 3 MASTERDISK RL • —◁B Side var. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Argentina | EMI America 81 1402271 8256First yearAlbum, LP | Album, LP |
| 1984 | Argentina | EMI America 81 2402271 8256First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Brazil | EMI America 31C 064 240227First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | EMI America SJ-17138First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | EMI America SJ-517138LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1984 | Canada | EMI America SJ-17138First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Colombia | Capitol Records 11984First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | EMI America 41 686 7LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1984 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | EMI America 1C 064 24 0227 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | Not On Label 240 227LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1984 | Germany | EMI America 24 0227 1 / EMI America 1C 064 24 0227 1LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1984 | Germany | EMI America 2402271LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | Greece | EMI America 062-2402271First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Iceland | EMI America DB 1 / EMI America EL 2402271First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | India | EMI America SJ 17138 / EMI America SJ. 17138First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Worldwide | Parlophone 0190295692094 / Parlophone DB 83883LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | EMI America DB 1 / EMI America EL 2402271LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
57 vinyl pressings of Tonight are listed here, from 33 countries, released between 1984 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is EMI America DB 1, released September 24, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DB 1, SJ-17138, PLAY.240227, 1C 064 24 0227 1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EL 2402271T A - 1 - 1 - 2 - NICKZ and EL 2402271T B - 3 - 1 - 2 -. 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.
