Vinyl pressings
by Ian Dury And The Blockheads · 1979
Reasons To Be Cheerful (Part Three) was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
33 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 14 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.
BUY 50 A - 1U SEX CHANGE BAND SASide A runout, stamped/etched, variant 1
BUY 50 B - 1U TRIDENT SASide B runout, stamped/etched, variant 1
BUY 50 A-1U 1 AH EX CHANGE BAND SASide A runout, stamped/etched, variant 2
BUY 50 B-1U 2 AA TRIDENT SASide B runout, stamped/etched, variant 2
SA TRIDENT 12BUY50A G.G. FOR ROMFORD FROM ROMERunout, etchings, side A. Var. 1
S-21 12BUY50B G.G..STEVE. TRIDENT HELLO TOE KNEERunout, etchings, side B. Var. 1
SA TRIDENT S-14 12BUY50A G.G.. FOR ROMFORD FROM ROMERunout, etchings, side A. Var. 2
S-12 12BUY50B G.G.. STEVE. TRIDENT HELLO TOE KNEERunout, etchings, side B. Var. 2
BUY 50 A - 1U SA SEX CHANGE BAND 1 GTA-side, runout, variant 1
BUY 50 B - 1U TRIDENT SA 1 OB-side, runout, variant 1
BUY 50 A - 1U SA SEX CHANGE BAND 2 MPA-side, runout, variant 2
BUY 50 B - 1U TRIDENT S.A. 21 RMB-side, runout, variant 2
6,12561-01-1 H1 Manufactured in GermanyRunout, side A
6,12561-01-2 H1 Manufactured in GermanyRunout, side B
SA EG- 4-S DJ BUY 50-A HELLO DOREENRunout side A
S4 12 BUY 50 B G.G.. STEVE. TRIDENT HELLO TOE KNEERunout side B
12BUY50 A S-10 TRIDENT SA FOR ROMFORD FROM ROME E.G.. 1Side A runout, hand-etched, variant 1
12BUY50 B S-14 HELLO TOE KNEE STEVE TRIDENT E.G.. 1Side B runout, hand-etched, variant 1
12BUY50 A S-6 TRIDENT SA FOR ROMFORD FROM ROME. E.G.. 1Side A runout, hand-etched, variant 2
12BUY50 B S-12 HELLO TOE KNEE STEVE TRIDENT E.G.. 1Side B runout, hand-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Stiff Records X13051First year12", Limited Edition, 45 RPM · Limited | 12", Limited Edition, 45 RPM · Limited |
| 1979 | Australia | Stiff Records K7573First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Belgium | Stiff Records 640.172 / Stiff Records 640-172First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Belgium | Stiff Records 640.172 / Stiff Records 640-172First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | France | Stiff Records 640 173First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | France | Stiff Records 740 518First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.12 561 / Stiff Records 6.12561 ACFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Greece | Stiff Records STIFF 15 508 / Stiff Records 15 508First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Italy | Stiff Records STIFD 107First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Italy | Stiff Records STIF 106First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Stiff Records 12 BUY 50 / Dureco Benelux MS 11First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Stiff Records BUY 50First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Stiff Records 12 BUY 50 / Dureco Benelux MS 11First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Stiff Records 12 BUY 50 / Dureco Benelux MS 11First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Stiff Records BUY 50First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
33 vinyl pressings of Reasons To Be Cheerful (Part Three) are listed here, from 14 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, US, Japan, Germany and more. One of them is Stiff Records BUY 50, released July 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BUY 50, 12BUY 50, R12BUY 50, 9-50800) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BUY 50 A - 1U SEX CHANGE BAND SA and BUY 50 B - 1U TRIDENT SA. 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.
