Vinyl pressings
by Electric Light Orchestra · 1980
I'm Alive 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.
36 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 20 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.
JET-179-A2 STRAWBERRY U.K. ⋀ AY 42458Side A runout - variant 1
JET-179-B1 AY 42458 STRAWBERRY U.K. ⋀Side B runout - variant 1
JET-179-A2 STRAWBERRY U.K. ⋀ AY 42458Side A runout, etched / stamped - variant 2
JET-179-B2 STRAWBERRY AY 42458 CSide B runout, etched / stamped - variant 2
JET-179-A1 AY 42457 STRAWBERRY U.K. D ⋀Side A runout
JET-179-B2 AY 42457 STRAWBERRY AI D ⋀Side B runout
JET 179 A*Side A label
JET 179 B*Side B label
JET-179-A3 STRAWBERRY U.K. CSide A runout
JET-179-B3 STRAWBERRY U.K. CSide B runout
JET 179 A*Side A label
JET 179 B*Side B label
JET-179-A1 STRAWBERRY U.K.Side A etched (except STRAWBERRY-stamped)
JET-179-B2 STRAWBERRY U.K. 2Side B etched (except STRAWBERRY 2-stamped)
JET 179 A*Side A label
JET 179 B*Side B label
MC-10311 JVC-3 ◈-P-◈ 111 JGRunout A var 1
MC10312 JVC-3 JG ◈-P-◈ 11Runout B var 1
MC-10311 JVC-4 ◈-P-◈ JGRunout A var 2
MC-10312 JVC-3 ◈-P-◈ JGRunout B var 2
MC-10311 JVC-1 ⧈-G-⧈ JGRunout side A, variant 1
MC-10312 JVC-2 JG ⧈-G-⧈Runout side B, variant 1
MC-10311 JVC-2 ⧈-G-⧈ JGRunout side A, variant 2
MC-10312 JVC-1 JG ⧈-G-⧈Runout side B, variant 2
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 | Argentina | Epic 140.269First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Australia | Jet Records JS 016First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Australia | Jet Records JS 016First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Brazil | Epic 46.013 / Epic 46013First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-41246First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Colombia | Epic 449250First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single · Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1980 | Costa Rica | Epic 45331First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | Europe | Jet Records JET 179First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Europe | Jet Records JET 179First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Jet Records JET 179 / Jet Records JET S 179First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Ireland | Jet Records JET 179First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | Jet Records JET 179First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | Jet Records 06SP 483First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Japan | Jet Records 06SP 483First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | Jet Records 06SP 483(JT)First year7", Single | 7", Single |
38 vinyl pressings of I'm Alive are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1980 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Jet Records JET 179.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JET 179, MCA-41246, JS 016, 46.013) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, JET-179-A2 STRAWBERRY U.K. ⋀ AY 42458 and JET-179-B1 AY 42458 STRAWBERRY U.K. ⋀. 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.
