Vinyl pressings
by Dawn · 1974
It Only Hurts When I Try To Smile was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 6 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.
BELL-1949 Sterling BEST 2-25-74Side A - Engraving
BELL-1950 Sterling BEST 2-25-74Side B - Engraving
1949-BWSide A - Label
1950-BWSide B - Label
BELL-1949-2-1-1 STERLING DA-Side Runout Etching
BELL-1950-1-1-1 PR DB-Side Runout Etching
1949A-Side Label
1950B-Side Label
1949Side A - Label
1950Side B - Label
BELL-1949 T [STERLING]A-Side Runout, etched [stamped]
BELL-1950B-Side Runout, etched
1949A-Side Label
1950B-Side Label
BELL-1949-S (stamped)STERLINGStereo Side Runout
BELL-1949 (stamped)STERLINGMono Side Runout
1949-SStereo Side Label
1949Mono Side Label
BELL-1949-S-1-CTH TI [STERLING]Stereo Side Runout, etched except [stamped]
BELL-1949 -2-CTH TI [STERLING]Mono Side Runout, etched except [stamped]
1949-SStereo Side Label
1949Mono Side Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | Bell Records 2008 238First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Brazil | Bell Records 2008 238First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Canada | Bell Records BELL 45450XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Japan | Bell Records BLPB-233First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Scandinavia | Bell Records 2008 243First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | US | Bell Records 45,450First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | US | Bell Records 45,450First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | US | Bell Records 45,450First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1974 | US | Bell Records 45,450First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1974 | US | Bell Records 45,450First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1974 | US | Bell Records Bell 45,450First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Mono · Mono |
11 vinyl pressings of It Only Hurts When I Try To Smile are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, Australia, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Bell Records 45,450.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45,450, Bell 45,450, 2008 238, BELL 45450X) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BELL-1949 Sterling BEST 2-25-74 and BELL-1950 Sterling BEST 2-25-74. 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.
