Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Kemp · 1989
Birthday Suit was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 6 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.
XSS-68207-A-/A GISide A runout, variant 1
XSS-68207-B-/B GISide B runout, variant 1
XSS-68207-A-1A M G1 A 10Side A runout, variant 2
XSS-68207-B-1B D G1 C 6Side B runout, variant 2
ZSS 68569A-1D G1 BLSide A Etched
ZSS 68569B-1C G1 A2Side B Etched
DSide B Stamped
ZSS 68569AA-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Australia | CBS 654838 6First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Australia | CBS 654838 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Canada | Columbia 38-68569First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1989 | Europe | CBS CBS 654838 6First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | CBS CBS 654838 7First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1989 | Spain | CBS aric 2133First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Spain | CBS 654838 6First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1989 | UK | CBS XPR 1426First year12", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1989 | UK | CBS 654838 1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | UK | CBS 654838 8First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | UK | CBS 654838 0First year7" | 7" |
| 1989 | UK | CBS XPR 1426First year12", 45 RPM, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1989 | US | Columbia 44 68207First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | US | Columbia 44 68207First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | US | Columbia 38-68569First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
16 vinyl pressings of Birthday Suit are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia 44 68207.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 44 68207, 38-68569, 654838 1, 654838 8) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XSS-68207-A-/A GI and XSS-68207-B-/B GI. 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.
