US
March 1983- Label and catalog number
- A&M Records SP-4912
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Monarch Pressing
- Runout / matrix
MR Δ 26014 A&M SP 04912-A-M1 (2) - 1Side A
MR Δ 26014X A&M SP 04912-B-M2Side B
(SP-04912-A)Label, Side A
(SP-04912-B)Label, Side B
Vinyl pressings
The Key
by Joan Armatrading · 1983
24 pressings17 countriesPop RockRock
The Key was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of The Key
20 pressings came out in 1983, 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.
US
March 1983- Label and catalog number
- A&M Records SP-4912
- Format
- LP, Album · A - Goldisc Pressing
- Runout / matrix
A&M SP 04912-A-GD2Runout, side A
A&M SP 04912-B-GD2Runout, side B
SP-04912-ALabel, side A
SP-04912-BLabel, side B
US
March 1983- Label and catalog number
- A&M Records SP-4912
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · B - EMW Pressing
- Runout / matrix
A&M SP 04912=ES1-A EMWRunout side A
A&M SP 04912-B-ES-1 EMWRunout side B
SP-04912-ALabel A
SP-04912-BLabel B
US
March 1983- Label and catalog number
- A&M Records SP-4912
- Format
- LP, Album · R - Indianapolis Pressing
- Runout / matrix
A&M SP 04912. A-RCA. 2Side A runout variant 1
A&M SP 04912-B-RCA.1Side B runout variant 1
A&M SP 04912. A-RCA-1 A2BSide A runout variant 2
A&M SP 04912. B-RCA-1 A2ESide B runout variant 2
US
March 1983- Label and catalog number
- A&M Records SP-4912
- Format
- LP, Album · Indianapolis Pressing
- Runout / matrix
A&M SP 04912. A-RCA- 2 I A1BRunout side A
A&M SP 04912-BA̶-RCA-1 I A2DRunout side B
SP-04912-ALabel side A in parentheses
SP-04912-BLabel side B in parentheses
UK
March 1983- Label and catalog number
- A&M Records AMLX 64912
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
AMLX 64912 A2Side A runout, etched [Variants 1, 2]
AMLX 64912 B3Side B runout, etched [Variant 1]
AMLX 64912 B4Side B runout, etched [Variant 2]
TOWN HOUSESide A & B runout, stamped [Variants 1, 2]
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 24 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s20 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | A&M Records RML 53101 / A&M Records RML-53101First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4912First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | A&M Records AMLX 64912First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | A&M Records LP 394 912-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Greece | A&M Records AMLX 64912First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Israel | A&M Records AMLX 64912First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Italy | A&M Records AMLX 64912First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | New Zealand | A&M Records L 37953First yearLP | LP |
| 1983 | Portugal | A&M Records AMLX 64912First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | South Africa | A&M Records AMLH 64912 / A&M Records SP 4912First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Spain | A&M Records AMLH 64912First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Venezuela | A&M Records A&M-7086First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 2420090 / A&M Records AMLH 64912First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Mexico | A&M Records AMLS-48,068First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | A&M Records AMLX 64912First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
Year unknown4 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | A&M Records 20.407LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Argentina | A&M Records 20.407LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-4912LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-4912LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
Tracklist
- A1(I Love It When You) Call Me Names4:23
- A2Foolish Pride3:16
- A3Drop The Pilot3:41
- A4The Key4:01
- A5Everybody Gotta Know3:48
- B1Tell Tale2:31
- B2What Do Boys Dream2:55
- B3The Game Of Love3:34
- B4The Dealer3:19
- B5Bad Habits3:43
- B6I Love My Baby3:29
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of The Key are there?
24 vinyl pressings of The Key are listed here, from 17 countries.
When was The Key first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, UK, Mexico, Australia and more. One of them is A&M Records SP-4912, released March 1983.
How do I tell if my copy of The Key is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-4912, AMLX 64912, AMLS-48,068, RML 53101) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MR Δ 26014 A&M SP 04912-A-M1 (2) - 1 and MR Δ 26014X A&M SP 04912-B-M2. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is The Key on vinyl worth?
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.
