Vinyl pressings
by Hot Chocolate · 1975
You Sexy Thing was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
36 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 16 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.
YRAK 221 A-1Runout, A-side, stamped, variant 1
YRAK 221 B-1 BLAIR'SRunout, B-side, stamped [BLAIR'S etched], variant 1
YRAK 221 A-2 GAP 1 BLAIR'SRunout, A-side, stamped [BLAIR'S etched], variant 2
YRAK 221 B-1 GOL 3 BLAIR'SRunout, B-side, stamped [BLAIR'S etched], variant 2
YRAK 221 A-1 1 GRunout, A-side, stamped (variant 1)
YRAK 221 B-1 1 GRunout, B-side, stamped (variant 1)
BLAIR'SRunout, B-side, etched (variant 1)
YRAK 221ALabel, A-side
ST-BT-31295-1 1-1 SP ATSide A - Etched
ST-BT-31250-2 1-1 ATSide B - Etched
SRC (Large S with the R and C in the loops)Side B - Stamped
ST-BT-31295 SPA label
ST-BT-31295-3 ATA-Side Runout Etching
ST-BT-31250-4 PP ATB-Side Runout Etching
ST-BT-31295-PLA-Side Label
ST-BT-31250-PLB-Side Label
ST-BT-31295-5 (MR) AT ∆98155A Side runout, etched; '(MR)' stamped
ST-BT-31250-5 (MR) AT ∆98156B Side runout, etched; '(MR)' stamped
ST-BT-31295-MOA Side Label
ST-BT-31250-MOB Side Label
ST-BT-31295-4 PD ATA Side Runout [Etched]
ST-BT-31250-3 PP ATB Side Runout [Etched]
ST-BT-31295-PLA-Side Label
ST-BT-31250-PLB-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | RAK RAK-11021First year7" | 7" |
| 1975 | Belgium | RAK 4C006-97109First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Belgium | RAK 4C006-97109First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Belgium | RAK 4C006-97109First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Brazil | Odeon YRAK-221First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Canada | Big Tree Records BTS 16047First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Canada | Big Tree Records BTS 16047First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Canada | Big Tree Records BTS 16047First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Colombia | EMI 46716First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Germany | RAK 1 C 006-97 109 / EMI Electrola 1 C 006-97 109First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Germany | RAK 1C 006-97 109 / RAK 1 C 006-97 109First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Germany | RAK 1 C 006-97 109 / EMI Electrola 1 C 006-97 109First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Germany | RAK 1C 006-97 109 / RAK 1 C 006-97 109First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Germany | RAK 1 C 006-97 109 / EMI Electrola 1 C 006-97 109First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Ireland | RAK RAK 221First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Barbados | EMI 12EMI 559212", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Europe | Different Class Records HNCT 412", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1990 | UK | Different Class Records HNC 47", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1990 | UK | Different Class Records HNCT 412", 45 RPM, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1990 | UK | Different Class Records HNC 47", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Guatemala | EMI 41467", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Portugal | Ofir MS 9087", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
50 vinyl pressings of You Sexy Thing are listed here, from 25 countries, released between 1975 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in UK, US, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is RAK RAK 221, released October 24, 1975.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RAK 221, BT-16047, BT 16047, RAK-11021) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, YRAK 221 A-1 and YRAK 221 B-1 BLAIR'S. 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.
