Vinyl pressings
by Depeche Mode · 1982
The Meaning Of Love was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 10 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.
MUTE-22-A-1 G2 JA TAPE ONESide A Runout Groove Etching, variant 1
MUTE-22-B-1 G2 JA TAPE ONESide B Runout Groove Etching, variant 1
MUTE-22-A-1 JA TAPE ONESide A Runout Groove Etching, variant 2
MUTE-22-B-1 JA TAPE ONESide B Runout Groove Etching, variant 2
12 mute-22-A-1 JA TAPE ONESide A
12 mute-22-B-1 JA TAPE ONESide B
MUTE-22-A-1 JA TAPE ONESide A runout, variant 1
MUTE-22-B-1 JA TAPE ONESide B runout, variant 1
MUTE-22-A-1 JA TAPE ONESide A runout, variant 2
MUTE-22-B-1 G2 JA TAPE ONE 2Side B runout, variant 2
MUTE-22-A-1 JA TAPE ONE S-1Side A, etched
MUTE-22-B-1 JA TAPE ONE S-1Side B, etched
MUTE-22-A-1 JA TAPE ONESide A
MUTE-22-B-1 JA TAPE ONESide B
12 MUTE-22-A-1 JA TAPE ONESide A
12 MUTE-22-B-1 JA TAPE ONESide B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | Powderworks POW 0075 / Mute POW 0075First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Australia | Powderworks POWT 0075 / Mute POWT 0075First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Germany | Mute INT 126.805 / Mute Mute 022First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | Mute INT 111.8047", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1982 | Greece | Mute 450001First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | New Zealand | Powderworks POW 0075 / Mute POW 0075First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Portugal | Mute 507702 / Edisom 507702First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Spain | RCA Victor SPBO 7333 / RCA SPBO-7333First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Spain | RCA SPCO-7332First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Spain | RCA Victor SPBO-7333 / RCA SPBO-7333First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1982 | Spain | RCA SPCO-7332First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | UK | Mute MUTE-022First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1982 | UK | Mute 12 MUTE-22First year12", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1982 | UK | Mute 7 MUTE 0227", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| 1982 | Germany | Mute INT 111.804 / Mute MUTE 022First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Germany | Mute INT 126.805 / Mute Mute 02212", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Repress, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Mute 12MUTE2212", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Mute 12 MUTE 02212", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Mute 12 MUTE 02212", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| ? | UK | Mute 12 MUTE 02212", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| ? | UK | Mute 12 MUTE 02212", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| ? | UK | Mute 12 MUTE 02212", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
35 vinyl pressings of The Meaning Of Love are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1982 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, Germany, Ireland, Scandinavia and more. One of them is Mute 7 MUTE 022, released April 26, 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7 MUTE 022, 12 MUTE 022, MUTE-022, 12 MUTE-22) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MUTE-22-A-1 G2 JA TAPE ONE and MUTE-22-B-1 G2 JA TAPE ONE. 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.
