Vinyl pressings
by Don Williams · 1980
I Believe In You / It Only Rains On Me was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. 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 1980, 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.
MC-9838-MI-2 回-G-回 MasterfonicsA-Side Runout Etching variant 1
回-G-回 MC-9322-MI-1 MasterfonicsB-Side Runout Etching variant 1
MC-9838-MI-1 回-G-回 MasterfonicsA-Side Runout Etching variant 2
回-G-回 MC-9322-MI-1 MasterfonicsB-Side Runout Etching variant 2
MC-9838-M1-3 Masterfonics ◈-P-◈Runout side A etched, Masterfonics ◈-P-◈ stamped
MC-9322-M1-4 Masterfonics ◈-P-◈Runout side B etched, Masterfonics ◈-P-◈ stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | MCA Records MCA 41304First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Australia | MCA Records MCA-41304First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-41304First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Germany | MCA Records 102 360First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Jamaica | MCA Records MC 9322First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Jamaica | MCA Records MC 9322First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Netherlands | MCA Records 102 360 - 100 / MCA Records 102 360First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | New Zealand | MCA Records MCA 41304First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | South Africa | MCA Records PD 1881First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | UK | MCA Records MCA 631First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-41304First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-41304First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-41304First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Spain | MCA Records a-102.3607", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
14 vinyl pressings of I Believe In You / It Only Rains On Me are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1980 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-41304.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-41304, MCA 631, MCA 41304, 102 360) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MC-9838-MI-2 回-G-回 Masterfonics and 回-G-回 MC-9322-MI-1 Masterfonics. 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.
