Vinyl pressings
by Dexys Midnight Runners · 1985
Don't Stand Me Down 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.
20 pressings came out in 1985, 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.
003 8229891 A POLYGRAM A8Side A variant 1
003 8229891 B POLYGRAM A2Side B variant 1
003 8229891 A POLYGRAM A6Side A variant 2
003 8229891 B POLYGRAM A6Side B variant 2
003 8229891 L POLYGRAM A CVersion 1, Side A runout stamped
003 8229891 B POLYGRAM A CVersion 1, Side B runout stamped
003 8229891 A POLYGRAM A VVersion 2, Side A runout stamped
003 8229891 B POLYGRAM 8 VVersion 2, Side B runout stamped
MERH 56 A // 8 ▽ 420 R 11 4Side A runout, variant 1
MERH 56 B // 8 ▽ 420 R 12 4Side B runout, variant 1
MERH 56 A // 8 ▽ 420 R 12 1Side A runout, variant 2
MERH 56 B // 8 ▽ 420 R 1 6Side B runout, variant 2
STERLINGStamped, Runout Groove, Both Sides
422822989-1.AS.PRC-R-1-1-1-Q-01
422822989-1-BS-PRC-R(1 here but it is crossed out)2-2-1-Q-E
422822989-1-AS -HRM 1 STERLING D-⌧- ▻Runout Side A, etched (exc. STERLING)
422822989-1-BS HRM 2 STERLING C- ▻Runout Side B, etched (exc. STERLING)
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 | Australasia | Mercury 822 989-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Australasia | Mercury 822 989-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Brazil | Mercury 822 989-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | Vertigo VOG-1-3348First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | Mercury 822 989-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | France | Mercury 822989-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | Mercury PG 281 822989-1 / Mercury 822 989-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | Mercury 822 989-1 / Mercury 822 989-1QFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Greece | Mercury 822 989-1 / PolyGram 822 989-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Ireland | Mercury MERH 56First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Italy | Mercury 822 989-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | Mercury 28PP-1010First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | Mercury 28PP-1010First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Portugal | Mercury 822989-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | South Africa | Mercury Star 5408First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Europe | Mercury 4720283LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 2015 | Europe | Mercury 4720283LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
22 vinyl pressings of Don't Stand Me Down are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1985 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in France, UK, US, Australasia and more. One of them is Mercury 822989-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 822989-1, PG 281 822989-1, MERH 56, 822 989-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 003 8229891 A POLYGRAM A8 and 003 8229891 B POLYGRAM A2. 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.
