Vinyl pressings
by Frankie Goes To Hollywood · 1987
Watching The Wildlife was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 8 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.
12 ZTAX 26 A-1U-1- I TOWN HOUSE DMM DRunout side A, variant 1
12 ZTAX 26 B-1U-1-1- 11 4 TOWN HOUSE DMM DRunout side B, variant 1
12 ZTAX 26 A-1U-1-1 TOWN HOUSE DMM DDRunout side A, variant 2
12 ZTAX 26 B-1U-1-1-1 TOWN HOUSE DMM DRunout side B, variant 2
ZTAS 26 A-2U-1-1-W4 JASide A runout, variant 1
ZTAS 26 B-1U-1-1-W3Side B runout, variant 1
ZTAS 26 A-2U-1-1-X7 JASide A runout, variant 2
ZTAS 26 B-1U-1-1-X1Side B runout, variant 2
12 ZTAS 26 A-1U - 1 - 1 - JAVariant 1
12 ZTAS 26 B-1U - 1 - 2 - 3Variant 1
12ZTAS 26 A-1U - 1 - 1 - 1 JAVariant 2
12ZTAS 26 B-1U - 1 - 1 - 1Variant 2
ZTAS 26 A-2U-1-1-XW4 JASide A runout
ZTAS 26 B-1U-1-1-W3Side B runout
DM 609035 A-1/3-87Runout side A, stamped
DM 609035 B-1/3-87 IIRunout side B, stamped, [II] etched
S 609 035 ALabel side A
S 609 035 BLabel side B
12 ZTE 26 A-1U-1-1 TOWN HOUSE D.M.M. DRunout side A, variant 1
12ZTAS 26 B-1U-1-2 - 1 CRunout side B, variant 1
12 ZTE 26 A-1U-1-1-R2 TOWNHOUSE DMMRunout side A, variant 2
12ZTE 26 B-1U-1- 3 1 4Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Europe | Island Records 608 823 / ZTT 608 823First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | Island Records 108 823 / ZTT 108 823First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | ZTT 609035 / Island Records 609035First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Europe | Island Records 108 8237", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1987 | Europe | Island Records 608 823 / ZTT 608 823First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Ireland | ZTT ZTAS 26First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Italy | Island Records ZTASX 26First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Japan | Island Records R15D-2065 / ZTT 12 ZTAS 26First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Japan | Island Records R15D-2065 / ZTT 12 ZTAS 26First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Spain | Island Records 3A 608823First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Spain | Island Records 1A 108823 / ZTT ZT AS 26First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Spain | Island Records 3A 608823First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Spain | Island Records 1A 108823First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | UK | ZTT ZT AS 26 / ZTT ZTAS 26First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox |
| 1987 | Europe | ZTT 609 035 / Island Records 609 035First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
20 vinyl pressings of Watching The Wildlife are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, Europe, UK & Europe, Australia and more. One of them is ZTT 12 ZTAX 26, released February 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 12 ZTAX 26, ZT AS 26, 12 ZTAS 26, 609 035) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 12 ZTAX 26 A-1U-1- I TOWN HOUSE DMM D and 12 ZTAX 26 B-1U-1-1- 11 4 TOWN HOUSE DMM D. 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.
