Vinyl pressings
by Grandmaster Flash · 1985
They Said It Couldn't Be Done was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. 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 1985, 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.
STE-60389-A-1 1-1 STERLING SRCA-side runout
STE-60389-B-1 1-1 ☆ STERLING SRCB-side runout
ST-E-60389-1-A-SPA-side label
ST-E-60389-1-B-SPB-side label
ST-E-60389-1-A-AR
ST-E-60389-1-B-AR
STE-60389-A-1 1-2 SPAR STERLING △8838 0- B-20701-A1 [SRC logo]Runout, Side A
STE-60389-B-1 1-2 SPAR B-20702-B1 ✩STERLING △8838-X 0- [SRC logo]Runout, Side B
ST-E-60389-1-A-ARLabel, Side A
ST-E-60389-1-B-ARLabel, Side B
ST-E-60389-1-A-SPA-side label
ST-E-60389-1-B-SPB-side label
STE-60389-A-1 1-2 SPAR STERLING △8838 0- B-20701-A1 [SRC logo]A Side Runout
STE-60389-B-1 1-2 SPAR B-20702-B1 ✩STERLING △8838-X 0- [SRC logo]B Side Runout
ST-E-60389-1-A-ARLabel A Side
ST-E-60389-1-B-ARLabel B Side
R/S Alsdorf 960389 A 2Runout side A, stamped, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 960389 B 2Runout side B, stamped, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 960389 A 2 UK 20Runout side A, stamped [UK 20 etched], variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 960389 B 2 34Runout side B, stamped [34 etched], 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Canada | Elektra 96 03891First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | Elektra 960 389-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Italy | Elektra 96 0389-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | Elektra P-13095First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | Elektra P-13095First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Elektra 60389-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | UK | Elektra 960 389-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Elektra 60389-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Elektra 60389-1First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | US | Elektra 9 60389-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Elektra 60389-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Elektra 60389-1First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | Australia | Elektra 60389-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
13 vinyl pressings of They Said It Couldn't Be Done are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Elektra 60389-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 60389-1, 9 60389-1, 960 389-1, 96 03891) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STE-60389-A-1 1-1 STERLING SRC and STE-60389-B-1 1-1 ☆ STERLING SRC. 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.
