Vinyl pressings
by Don McLean · 1981
Believers was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. 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 1981, 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.
BXL-1-7762-A HSide A runout etched
BXL-1-7762-B SSide B runout etched
STERLING ɪ A1Side A&B runout stamped
BXL1-7762-A 1 STERLING ɪ ABSide A Variant 2
EMC 3396 A-3 1 2Side A stamped
EMC 3396 B-2 1 2Side B stamped
SMX-58546Side A
SMX-58547Side B
SMX-58545 P2ASide A (variant 2)
SMX-58546 P2A 3Side B (variant 2)
BXL1 7762 A (CR)Side A runout
BXL1 7762 B② (CR)Side B runout
BXL1-7762-ASide A label
BXL1-7762-BSide B label
EMC 3396ALabel - side A
EMC 3396BLabel - side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Interfusion L 37705First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Millennium BXL1-7762First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Ireland | EMI EMC 3396 / EMI 0C 062-64 597First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | EMI EMS-81458First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | EMI EMS-81458First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | EMI 1A 064-64597First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Philippines | RCA Victor BXL1-7762First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Portugal | EMI 11C 078-64597First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | EMI 10C 066-064.597First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | EMI EMC 3396 / EMI 0C 062-64 597First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Millennium BXL1-7762First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Brazil | RCA Victor 104.8218LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | South Africa | EMI EMCJ(L) 5266 / EMI EMCJ (L) 5266LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Venezuela | RCA Victor 102-01554LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | US | BFD BFD1087LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited |
| 2025 | US | BFD BFD8 1087.1LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
16 vinyl pressings of Believers are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1981 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Millennium BXL1-7762.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BXL1-7762, EMC 3396, L 37705, EMS-81458) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BXL-1-7762-A H and BXL-1-7762-B S. 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.
