Vinyl pressings
by Graham Parker · 1983
Life Gets Better 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.
12 pressings came out in 1983, 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.
RCAT 346 A-1U-1-1-x1Side A runout, variant 1
RCAT 346 B-1U-1-1-x1Side B runout, variant 1
RCAT 346 A-1U-1-1⥛1Side A stamped runout, variant 2
RCAT 346 B-1U-1-1⥛x1Side B stamped runout, variant 2
RCA 346 A-1U-1-1--1Runout side A, stamped, variant 1
RCA 346 B-1U-1-1``2Runout side B, stamped, variant 1
RCA 346 A-1U-1-1⥛ 1 POUNDA TA1PERunout side A, stamped, variant 2
RCA 346 B-1U-1- 1⥛ 1Runout side B, stamped, variant 2
RCA 346 A-1U-1-1⥛3 POUNDA TA1PERunout Side A, stamped, ["POUNDA TA1PE" is etched]
RCA 346 B-1U-1-1``4Runout Side B, stamped
AS-1-9065-SASide A etched
AS-1-9065-SBSide B etched
STERLINGStamped both sides
AS-1-9065-SA STERLING (SRC) 1-1stereo runout
AS-1-9065-MA STERLING (SRC) 1-1mono runout
(AS1-9065-SA)stereo label
(AS1-9065-MA)mono label
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 | Australia | Liberation Records LS-1075First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Australia | Liberation Records LMD 207First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Canada | Arista AS 1-9065First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Spain | RCA PB-68078First year7" | 7" |
| 1983 | Spain | RCA PB-68078First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | UK | RCA RCAT 346 / RCA PC 68079First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | RCA RCA 346 / RCA PB 68078First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | RCA RCA 346 / RCA PB 68078First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Arista AS 1-9065First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | US | Arista AS 1-9065First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1983 | US | Arista AS 1-9065First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Australia | Liberation Records LMD 207First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Liberation Records LS-10757", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
13 vinyl pressings of Life Gets Better are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is RCA RCAT 346.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RCAT 346, RCA 346, AS 1-9065, LMD 207) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RCAT 346 A-1U-1-1-x1 and RCAT 346 B-1U-1-1-x1. 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.
