Vinyl pressings
by Echo & The Bunnymen · 1982
The Back 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.
8 pressings came out in 1982, 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.
KOW 24 T A.1 F/2 W-L W7 RAYSSide A - etched, variant 1
KOW 24 T B1 STRAWBERRY F/2 W-L W9Side B - etched / ‘STRAWBERRY’ stamped, variant 1
KOW 24 T A.1 F/2 W-L W22 RAYSSide A - etched, variant 2
KOW 24 T B1 STRAWBERRY F/2 W-L W10Side B - etched / ‘STRAWBERRY’ stamped, variant 2
KOW 24 A-1 RAYS W-7Side A, hand-etched runout - Variant 1
KOW 24 B-1 W-5Side B, hand-etched runout - Variant 1
KOW 24 A-1 W-L RAYS W26Side A, hand-etched runout - Variant 2
KOW 24 B-1 W-L W-21Side B, hand-etched runout - Variant 2
KOW 24 T A-1 F/2 W-L WZZ RAYSRunout, A-side, etched
KOW 24 T B1 F/2 W-L W-6Runout, B-side, etched
STRAWBERRYRunout, B-side, Stamped
KOW 24 A-1 W-LSide A, hand-etched runout
KOW 24 B-1 W-LSide B, hand-etched runout
KOW 24 ASide A label
KOW 24 BSide B label
MX206075Side A label
MX206076Side B label
WEA19175 A 24C1Runout side A (stamped)
WEA19175 B 24C1Runout side B (stamped)
WEA 19175-ASide A label
WEA 19175-BSide B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | WEA 100212First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Benelux | WEA WEA 19175 / Korova WEA 19175First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1982 | Italy | Korova K 19175First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | New Zealand | WEA 100212First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Ireland | Korova KOW 24 / Korova Kow 24First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Korova KOW 24 (T)First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1982 | UK | Korova KOW 24 / Korova Kow 24First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Korova KOW 24 (T)First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Benelux | WEA WEA 28382 / WEA WEA 28.38212", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| ? | UK | Korova KOW 24 (T)12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
10 vinyl pressings of The Back Of Love are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, Ireland, Australia, Benelux and more. One of them is Korova KOW 24 (T), released May 21, 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KOW 24 (T), KOW 24, 100212, WEA 19175) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, KOW 24 T A.1 F/2 W-L W7 RAYS and KOW 24 T B1 STRAWBERRY F/2 W-L W9. 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.
