Vinyl pressings
by Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers · 1983
Jonathan Sings! 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.
10 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 7 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.
1-23939-A-SH2 [Allied logo] B-18408-SH2 SLM △ 5000 1̶-̶2̶ 0-1SM1-1Side 1
1-23939-B-SH4 [Allied logo] B-18409-SH4 SLM △ 5000-X 0-1SM1-1Side 2
1 -23939 -A-JW 2#1side 1
1 -23939 -B-JW 2#1side 2
1 -23939 -A-[Scratched Out JW2] WWI #2 —◁Side 1
1 -23939 -B-[Scratched Out JW2] WWI #2 —◁Side 2
MX208207 23939-1-1Side A variant 1
MX208208B 23939-1-S2Side B variant 1
G MX208207 23939-1-1Side A variant 2
MX208208B 23939-1-S2Side B variant 2
1-23939-A-JW1 #1 0Runout Side A
1-23939-B-JW1 #1 0Runout Side B
MX208207/8Stamped
MX208207Label side A
MX208208Label side B
R/S Alsdorf 923939-1 B ARunout side A
R/S Alsdorf 923939-1 A B / DRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Canada | Sire 92 39391First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Sire 92-3939-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Sire 92-3939-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Sire 92-3939-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Sire 9 23939-1 / Sire 1-23939First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Sire 1-23939 / Sire 9 23939-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Sire 23939 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Sire 1-23939LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1983 | US | Sire 9 23939-1 / Sire 1-23939First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Australia | Sire 23939-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Sire 92-3939-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Greece | Rough Trade VC 50106 / Rough Trade 062-VG 50106LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | UK | Rough Trade ROUGH 52LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Spain | Nuevos Medios 43 127 LLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | US | Omnivore Recordings OVLP-491LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| 2023 | US | Omnivore Recordings OVLP-491LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2025 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP3939LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
17 vinyl pressings of Jonathan Sings! are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1983 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, Australia, Germany, Canada and more. One of them is Sire 9 23939-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 9 23939-1, 1-23939, 23939 1, 23939-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1-23939-A-SH2 [Allied logo] B-18408-SH2 SLM △ 5000 1̶-̶2̶ 0-1SM1-1 and 1-23939-B-SH4 [Allied logo] B-18409-SH4 SLM △ 5000-X 0-1SM1-1. 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.
