Vinyl pressings
by Howard Jones · 1985
Things Can Only Get Better 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.
67 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 18 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.
HOW - 6T - A2 MT. DAMONTSide A + etchings variant 1
HOW - 6T - B2 MT. DAMONTSide B + etchings variant 1
HOW-6T-A2 MT. DAMONTSide A runout variant 2
HOW-6T- B2 MT.Side B runout variant 2
HOW 6 A // 1 ▽ 420 R 1 3 ARUN 2Side A runout, stamped/etched
HOW 6 B // 1 ▽ 420 R 1 3 3Side B runout, stamped
HOW 6 T A//1▽ 420 R 11 6A side, stamped variant 1
HOW 6 T B//1▽ 420 R 11 3B side, stamped variant 1
HOW 6 T A//1▽ 420 R 11 10A side, stamped variant 2
HOW 6 T B//1▽ 420 R 11 2B side, stamped variant 2
HOW 6 A-4 ✶MT✶ 1 DAMONT ARUN S M@1985Hand etched runout, side A
HOW-6 B-4 ✶MT✶ M@1985 1 DAMONT HHand etched runout, side B
HOW 6 A //11∇420 R 1 2 8 ARUNRunout, side A
HOW 6 B //1 ∇420 R 1 11Runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Unknown | WEA 249148-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Australia | WEA 7-249148First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Australia | WEA 7-249148First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Brazil | WEA 601.7036First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | WEA 24 91470First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1985 | Canada | WEA 24 91487First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Canada | WEA 24 91487First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | Ecuador | WEA 249147-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | WEA 249 148-7 / WEA HOW 6First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Europe | WEA 249 147-0 / WEA HOW 6TFirst year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | France | WEA 249 148-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Guatemala | WEA 249148-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Italy | WEA 24 9147-0First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Italy | WEA 24 9148-7First year7" | 7" |
| 1985 | Italy | WEA 24 9148-7First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Italy | Rise RISE 29812", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
69 vinyl pressings of Things Can Only Get Better are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1985 and 2005.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Ireland, South Africa and more. One of them is WEA HOW 6T, released February 9, 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use HOW 6T, HOW 6, HOW6P, 249148-7) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, HOW - 6T - A2 MT. DAMONT and HOW - 6T - B2 MT. DAMONT. 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.
