Vinyl pressings
by Gang Of Four · 1983
Is It Love was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1983, 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.
12 EMI 5418 A-1U-1-1Runout side A, variant 1
12 EMI 5418 B-1U-1-1-1Runout side B, variant 1
12 EMI 5418 A-1U-1-1 TIMTOM.CBSRunout side A, variant 2
12 EMI 5418 B-1U-1-1-1 TY.CBSRunout side B, variant 2
EMI 5418 A-1U-1-1-1XSide A, variant 1
EMI 5418 B-1U-1-1-0Side B, variant 1
EMI 5418 A-1U-1-1-1 timtom-cbsSide A, variant 2
EMI 5418 B-1U-1-1-3 TYSide B, variant 2
0-20174-A-RE1-SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-18822-RE1-SH1 SLM △5773 1-1 STERLINGSide A
0-20174-RE1-B-SH-4 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-18823-RE1 SH4 SLM △5773-x 1-1 STERLINGSide B
BCN 0279SLabel A
BCN 0285SLabel B
0-20174-A-RE1-SR1 1-1 [SRC logo] STERLINGRunout side A
0-20174- S̶R̶1̶ B-RE1-SR1 1-1 [SRC logo] STERLINGRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Brazil | EMI 31C 006 65218First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 9294497First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 01740First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 9294497First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Europe | EMI 1C 006 1652187First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | France | EMI 1652187 / EMI 165218 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | France | EMI 1652187", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1983 | Germany | EMI 1C K 062 1654016First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | Italy | EMI 06 1652187First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1983 | New Zealand | EMI Records New Zealand Limited GOOD 21First year12" | 12" |
| 1983 | South Africa | EMI EMIJ 4441First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Spain | EMI 006 165218 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Spain | EMI 052 1654016First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | Spain | EMI 006 165218 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | UK | EMI 12 EMI 5418 / EMI 12EMI 5418First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | EMI 12 EMI 541812", 45 RPM, Promo, White Label · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo, White Label · Promo |
24 vinyl pressings of Is It Love are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is EMI 12 EMI 5418.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 12 EMI 5418, EMI 5418, 0-20174, 7-29449) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 12 EMI 5418 A-1U-1-1 and 12 EMI 5418 B-1U-1-1-1. 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.
