Vinyl pressings
by Kajagoogoo · 1984
The Lion's Mouth was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 8 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.
EMI 5449 A - 1U - 1 - Q2 - 7Runout, A-side, stamped
DJM GOD IS LOVERunout, A-side, etched
EMI 5449 B - 1U - 1 - Q2 - 8Runout, B-side, stamped
EMI 5449 A-1U-1-1-5A-side runout, stamped variant 1
GOD IS LOVEA-side runout, etched variant 1
EMI 5449 B-1U-1-1-1B-side runout, stamped variant 1
EMI 5449 A-1U-1-1-4 GOD IS LOVESide A runout variant 2
EMIP-5449-A ORLAKEA-Side Runout
EMIP-5449-B ORLAKEB-Side Runout
GOD IS LOVE
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Benelux | EMI 1A 006-2000557First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | EMI 1C 006 2000557 / EMI Electrola 1C 006 2000557First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Germany | EMI 1C K 062 2000696First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Germany | EMI Electrola 2000557 / EMI EMI 54497", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | Germany | EMI 1C 006 2000557 / EMI Electrola 1C 006 2000557First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Ireland | EMI EMI 5449First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Japan | EMI EMS-27016First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Portugal | EMI 2000557First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | South Africa | EMI EMIJ 4463First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | UK | EMI EMIP 5449First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1984 | UK | EMI 12EMI 5449First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | EMI 12EMI 5449First year12", White Label | 12", White Label |
| 1984 | UK | EMI EMI 5449First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, White Label |
| 1984 | Yugoslavia | Jugoton SEMI 89043 / EMI EMI 5449First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | EMI EMI 5449First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
18 vinyl pressings of The Lion's Mouth are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Japan, Benelux, Germany and more. One of them is EMI EMI 5449, released February 20, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMI 5449, EMIP 5449, 12EMI 5449, EMS-17435) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMI 5449 A - 1U - 1 - Q2 - 7 and DJM GOD IS LOVE. 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.
