Vinyl pressings
by Japan · 1979
Life In Tokyo 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.
26 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 11 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.
100641 A-1/79S Made in GermanySide A runout, stamped
100641 B-1/79S Made in GermanySide B runout, stamped
S 100 641 ASide A label
S 100 641 BSide B label
600048 A-2/79S Made in GermanySide A, runout, stamped
600048 B-2/79S Made in GermanySide B, runout, stamped
S 600 048 ASide A, label
S 600 048 BSide B, label
G AHAD 540 A1 | ƱSide A runout, hand etched, variant 1
I AHAD 540 A1 | ƱSide A runout, hand etched, variant 2
P AHAD 540 B-2 Ʊ |Side B runout, hand etched, variant 1
O AHAD 540 B-2 Ʊ |Side B runout, hand etched, variant 2
G Ʊ AHA 540 A1 |Side A runout, hand etched, variant 1
J AHA 540B-1♢MB |Side B runout, hand etched, variant 1
B Ʊ AHA 540 A1 |Side A runout, hand etched, variant 2
B AHA 540B-1♢MB |Side B runout, hand etched, variant 2
D Ʊ AHA 540 A1 |Side A runout, etched
Z AHA 540B-1♦MB |Side B runout, etched
AHA 540 ASide A label
AHA 540 BSide B label
F AHAD 540 A1 | ƱSide A runout, hand etched
C AHAD 540 B-2 Ʊ |Side B runout, hand etched
AHAD 540 ASide A label
AHAD 540 BSide B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | RCA Victor 103406First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | Canada | Ariola Records America AHAD 12-54012", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Repress | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Repress |
| 1979 | France | Hansa Records 49.497 / Carrere 49.497First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Japan | Ariola Hansa VIP-2745 / Ariola Hansa AHA-1010First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | Ariola Hansa VIP-2745 / Ariola Hansa AHA-1010First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Poland | Tonpress R-0971First yearFlexi-disc, 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Card Backed, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Mono · Mono, Limited, Picture disc | Flexi-disc, 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Card Backed, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Mono · Mono, Limited, Picture disc |
| 1979 | US | Ariola Records America PRO 7756 / Hansa Records PRO 7756First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Ariola Records America 7756 / Hansa Records 7756First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1979 | Germany | Hansa International 100 641 / Hansa International 100 641-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | Ariola Hansa AHAD 540First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Promo · Promo, Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Promo · Promo, Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | Canada | Ariola Records America AHAD 12-540 / Hansa AHAD12-540First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1979 | Canada | Ariola Records America AHA 540XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Canada | Ariola Records America AHA 540XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Hansa International 600 048 / Hansa International 600 048-213First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Mexico | Ariola 100.560 / Ariola Hansa SL-7010First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Germany | Hansa International 103 269 / Hansa 103 2697", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Hansa HANSA 12-4 / Hansa HANSA 12412", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1981 | UK | Hansa HANSA 12-4 / Hansa HANSA 12412", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1981 | UK | Hansa HANSA 12-4 / Hansa HANSA 12412", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Hansa 103.269 / Hansa 103 2697", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Hansa HANSA 12-4 / Hansa HANSA 12412", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1981 | UK | Hansa HANSA 47", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Hansa International 103 269 / Hansa International 103 269-1007", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Hansa International 600 377 / Hansa International 600 377-21312", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | Sweden | Hansa ARI 82217", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Ireland | Ariola Hansa HANSA 17 / Hansa HANSA 177", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1982 | UK | Hansa HANSA 12-17 / Hansa HANSA 121712", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | UK | Hansa HANSA 177", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1982 | UK | Hansa HANSA 177", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | El Salvador | RCA CA-10728 / Hansa AHA-5407", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
42 vinyl pressings of Life In Tokyo are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1979 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in Germany, UK, US, Canada and more. One of them is Hansa International 100 641, released March 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 100 641, 600 048, AHAD 540, AHA 540) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 100641 A-1/79S Made in Germany and 100641 B-1/79S Made in Germany. 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.
