Vinyl pressings
by Hot Chocolate · 1982
It Started With A Kiss was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 13 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.
RAK 344 A-5-1-1-2 5Side A runout etched, variant 1
RAK 344 B-1-1-1-5 0Side B runout etched, variant 1
RAK 344 A-4-1-2 - 2Side A runout stamped/etched, variant 2
RAK 344 B-1-1-1-0 3Side B runout stamped/etched, variant 2
RAK 344 A-4-1-1-02Side A runout, stamped
RAK 344 B-1-1-0̶1-02Side B runout, stamped
RAK 344ASide A, label
RAK 344BSide B, label
RAK 344 A-5-1-1- 13A-side runout variant 1
RAK 344 B-1-2-4- 19B-side runout variant 1
RAK 344 A-4-1- 1- 49A-side runout variant 2
RAK 344 B-1-1̶ 2-3- 47B-side runout variant 2
RAK334A-5-1-1-57Runout side A
RAK334B-5-1-1-57Runout side B
RAK 344 A DJ-2-1-111A Side Runout
RCA 226 B-1U-1-1144B Side Runout
RAK 344A/DJ 45A Side Label
RAK 344B 45B Side Label
RAK 344 A DJ-2-1-111A Side Runout
RAK 344 B-1-1-1-1B Side Runout
RAK 344A/DJ 45A Side Label
RAK 344B 45B Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | RAK RAK-775First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Australia | RAK RAK 775First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Australia | RAK RAK 775First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Barbados | EMI RAK 344First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Brazil | RAK 31C 006 64864First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Europe | RAK 1A 006-64864First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Europe | RAK 1C 008-64 864 / EMI Electrola 1C 008-64 864First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Europe | RAK 1C 008-64 864 / EMI Electrola 1C 008-64 8647", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| 1982 | France | RAK 2C008-64864First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Germany | RAK RAK 052-64 864 / EMI Electrola 1C K 052-64 864 ZFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1982 | Germany | RAK 1C 008-64 864First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Ireland | RAK RAK 344First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | New Zealand | RAK RAK 344First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Portugal | RAK 11C 008-64864First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Spain | RAK 10 C 006-064.864First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | UK | EMI EMCT 7 / EMI 7243 8 80508 7 67", Single | 7", Single |
25 vinyl pressings of It Started With A Kiss are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1982 and 1993.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, US, Australia, Barbados and more. One of them is RAK RAK 344, released June 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RAK 344, RAK 344/DJ, P-B-8157, RAK-775) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RAK 344 A-5-1-1-2 5 and RAK 344 B-1-1-1-5 0. 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.
