Vinyl pressings
by Elvis Costello & The Attractions · 1984
Goodbye Cruel World was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 12 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.
B-1137 A-8 POUNDA TA1PE Made in Germany 020Runout side A, variant 1
B-1137 B-8 II Made in Germany 020Runout side B, variant 1
B-1137 A-8 IV POUNDA TA1PE Made in GermanyRunout side A, variant 2
B-1137 B-8 III Made in Germany 020Runout side B, variant 2
B-1137 A-8 II Made in GermanyStamped & etched ("Ⅱ") runout, side A - variant 1
B-1137 B-8 IV Made in GermanyStamped & etched ("Ⅳ") runout, side B - variant 1
B-1137 A-8 III POUNDA TA1PE 020 Made in GermanyStamped & etched ("Ⅲ POUNDA TA1PE 020") runout, side A - variant 2
B-1137 B-8 II 020 Made in GermanyStamped & etched ("Ⅱ 020") runout, side B - variant 2
ZL 70317 A 1 ℗1984 670 04 115Stamped Side A
ZL 70317 B 1 ℗1984 670 04 114Stamped Side B
A PORKY PRIME CUT. STILL THE KINGEtched Side A
A NUDDER PORKY PRIME CUT.Etched Side B
P o AL-39429-1B MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr :^)Runout side A, variant 1
P o BL-39429-1G MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr :^)Runout side B, variant 1
P o AL-39429-1A MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr :^)Runout side A, variant 2
P o BL-39429-1A MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK Herbie Jr :^)Runout side B, variant 2
MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORKSides 1 & 2 stamped
AL-39429-1C Herbie Jr (Smiley face) G1Side 1 etched, Variant 1
BL-39429-1C Herbie Jr (Smiley face) G1Side 2 etched, Variant 1
AL-39429-1C Herbie Jr (Smiley face) G1 B41Side 1 etched, Variant 2
AL-39429-1A-2HZ: DM-2Side A runout, variant 1
BL-39429-1A-2HZ: DM-1Side B runout, variant 1
AL-39429-1A-2HZ: DM-2Side A runout, variant 2
BL-39429-1A-2HZ: DM-2Side B runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | F-Beat SFL1 0100 / Starcall Records SFL1 0100First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Germany | F-Beat Records SFL1 0100First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Greece | RCA Victor RCLP 20314 / RCA Victor ZL 70317First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Ireland | F-Beat ZL 70317First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Israel | F-Beat ZL 70317First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Italy | F-Beat ZL 70317First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Japan | F-Beat RPL-8251First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | New Zealand | F-Beat SFL1 0100 / Starcall Records SFL1 0100First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Spain | RCA Victor ZL-70317First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Spain | RCA Victor ZL-70317First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | UK & Europe | F-Beat Records ZL 70317 / F-Beat ZL 70317First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK & Europe | F-Beat Records ZL70317 / F-Beat ZL70317First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK & Europe | F-Beat ZL 70317First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | UK & Europe | F-BeatLP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | US | Columbia FC 39429First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-432 / Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab B0013532-01LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered |
| 2015 | Europe | UMe 0602547331113LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Columbia PC 39429 / Columbia FC 39429LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 39429 / Columbia FC 39429LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
25 vinyl pressings of Goodbye Cruel World are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1984 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK & Europe, US, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is F-Beat Records ZL 70317.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ZL 70317, ZL70317, FC 39429, SFL1 0100) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, B-1137 A-8 POUNDA TA1PE Made in Germany 020 and B-1137 B-8 II Made in Germany 020. 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.
