Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Nash · 1985
Rock Me Baby 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.
9 pressings came out in 1985, 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.
FED-19T-A. MT. 1 DAMONT MW WSide A runout
FED-19T-B. MT. 1 DAMONT QSide B runout
FED 19 T A*Side A label
FED 19 T B*Side B label
FED-19-A NW 1 MT DAMONTRunout, side A, etched
FED-19-B 1 MT DAMONTRunout, side B, etched
FED 19A*Label, side A
FED 19B*Label, side B
883 734 7 1W 1 670 03Runout side A, stamped
883 734 7 2W 1 670 03Runout side B, stamped
883 734-7 1WLabel side A
883 734-7 2WLabel side B
883 734 7 1W 1 670 03Runout side A, stamped
883 734 7 2W 1 670 03Runout side B, stamped
883 734-7 1WLabel side A
883 734-7 2WLabel 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 | Europe | Polydor 883 734-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Polydor 883 734-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Germany | Polydor 885 182-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Jamaica | Polydor 883 734-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Portugal | Polydor 883 734-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Spain | Polydor 883 734-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | UK | 2000 AD Records FED 19T / 2000 AD Records FED 19 TFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | 2000 AD Records FED 19First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | 2000 AD Records FED 19 TFirst year12", Single, White Label | 12", Single, White Label |
| 1986 | Argentina | Polydor 02037", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Europe | Polydor 883 734-112", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo |
| 1986 | France | Polydor 883 734-112", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | France | Polydor 883 734-77", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | France | Polydor 883 734-77", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Germany | Metronome 883 734-1ME / Metronome 883 734-112", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
22 vinyl pressings of Rock Me Baby are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, Europe, Germany, Jamaica and more. One of them is 2000 AD Records FED 19T.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FED 19T, FED 19, FED 19 T, 883 734-7) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, FED-19T-A. MT. 1 DAMONT MW W and FED-19T-B. MT. 1 DAMONT Q. 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.
