Vinyl pressings
by Elvis Costello · 1977
Watching The Detectives was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. 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 1977, the album's first year, in 5 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.
BUY 20 A-1U I THINK YOU KNOW WHAT I MEANSide A runout, variant 1
BUY 20 B-1U LITTLE TRIGGERS BUT BIG TEARSSide B runout, variant 1
BUY 20 A-1U 1 O I THINK YOU KNOW WHAT I MEANSide A runout, variant 2
BUY 20 B-1U 1 P LITTLE TRIGGERS BUT BIG TEARSSide B runout, variant 2
BUY 20 A-1USide A, runout, stamped - variant 1
BUY 20 B-1USide B, runout, stamped- variant 1
BUY 20 A-1U 1 OSide A, runout, stamped - variant 2
BUY 20 B-1U 1 PSide B, runout, stamped - variant 2
BUY 20 A-DJ-1USide A, runout, stamped
BUY 20 B-1USide B, runout, stamped
tone controlledSide A, runout, etched
LITTLE TRIGGERS BUT BIG TEARSSide B, runout, etched
BUY 20 A-1USide A, runout, stamped
BUY 20 B-1USide B, runout, stamped
I THINK YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN ∴ E(possibly poor Λ)Side A, runout, etched
LITTLE TRIGGERS BUT BIG TEARS 1 ∴ ΛSide B, runout, etched
BUY 20 A-1U M D I THINK YOU KNOW WHAT I MEANSide A runout
BUY 20 B-1U LITTLE TRIGGERS BUT BIG TEARS M DSide B runout
BUY 20-ASide A, label
BUY 20-BSide B, label
I THINK YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN M G 2 BUY 20 A-1URunout side A
T LITTLE TRIGGERS BUT BIG TEARS 1 BUY 20 B-1URunout side B
BUY 20-ALabel side A
BUY 20-BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Belgium | Stiff Records COU/B/BUY 20First year7", Single · Colored vinyl | 7", Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1977 | Belgium | Stiff Records COU/B/BUY 20First year7", Single · Colored vinyl | 7", Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1977 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.12 193 / Stiff Records BUY 20First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.12 1937", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Stiff Records SRS 510.042 / Stiff Records BUY 20First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Scandinavia | Stiff Records BUY 20First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Scandinavia | Stiff Records BUY 20First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 20First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 20First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 20First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 20First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 20First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 20First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 20First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Australia | Stiff Records BUY-116337", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Portugal | Stiff Records BUY 20 NP7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
26 vinyl pressings of Watching The Detectives are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1977 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands and more. One of them is Stiff Records BUY 20, released November 4, 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BUY 20, COU/B/BUY 20, 6.12 193, SRS 510.042) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BUY 20 A-1U I THINK YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN and BUY 20 B-1U LITTLE TRIGGERS BUT BIG TEARS. 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.
