Vinyl pressings
by David Byrne · 1985
Music For The Knee Plays 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.
13 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 9 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.
9252871 A-1-1- // #3 // 1-25022 // 44167A SM #1 // DVariation 1 A runout
9252871 B-1-1- // SUBMA 1 // 1-25022 // #3 // 44167 B SM #1 // DVariation 1 B runout
9252871 A-1-1-2- DVariation 2 A runout
9252871 B-1-1-1- DVariation 2 B runout
9252871 A-1-1-2-1 DSide A runout
9252871 B-1-1-1- DSide B runout
EJ 02403811 A-1-1-1-Side A runout stamped - Variant 1
EJ 02403811 BQ-1-1-1-Side B runout stamped - Variant 1
EJ 02403811 4-1-1-1-X 1 DSide A runout stamped - Variant 2
EJ 02403811BQ-1-1-*1 DSide B runout stamped - Variant 2
240 38 11 - A1 - CSide A, stamped, variant 1
240 38 11 - B1 - CSide B, stamped, variant 1
2403811 - A1 - C 1 CV4Side A runout, stamped, CV4 is mirrored, variant 2
2403811 - B2 - C 8 V1Side B runout, stamped, V1 is mirrored, variant 2
240 38 11 - A1 - CSide A runout stamped, variant 1
240 38 11 - B1 - CSide B runout stamped, variant 1
2403811-A1-C CA 2Side A runout stamped, variant 2
2403811-B1-C 1 CA1Side B runout stamped, 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 | Europe | Zonophone 064-24 0381 1 / Zonophone 064 24 0381 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | Zonophone 1A 064-24 0381 1 / Zonophone EJ 24 0381 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Greece | EMIAL S.A. 062-240 3811 STEREOFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Greece | Zonophone 062-2403811 / Zonophone 062-240 3811First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Italy | Zonophone 64 2403811 / Zonophone 64 24 03811First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | Zonophone EMS-91127First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Regal Zonophone EMC 262First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | South Africa | Zonophone EMCJ (L) 2403811First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Spain | EMI 064-24 0381 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | UK | Regal Zonophone EJ 240381 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | ECM Records 1-25022 / ECM Records 9 25022-1 EFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | ECM Records 1-25022 / ECM Records 9 25022-1 EFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | Zonophone EMS-91127 / Zonophone EJ 240381 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
13 vinyl pressings of Music For The Knee Plays are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Japan, Europe and more. One of them is ECM Records 1-25022.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1-25022, EJ 240381 1, EMS-91127, 064-24 0381 1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 9252871 A-1-1- // #3 // 1-25022 // 44167A SM #1 // D and 9252871 B-1-1- // SUBMA 1 // 1-25022 // #3 // 44167 B SM #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.
