Vinyl pressings
by Kate Bush · 1980
Babooshka was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
32 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 18 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 5085 A-1U C 4 2Runout, variant 1, side A
EMI 5085 B-1U 4 3 3Runout, variant 1, side B
EMI 5085 A-1U C 5 2Runout, variant 2, side A
EMI 5085 B-1U 1 5 2Runout, variant 2, side B
EMI 5085 A-1URunout side A, variant 1
EMI 5085 B-1U 3 7 3Runout side B, variant 1
EMI 5085 A-1U 3 7 3Runout side A, variant 2
EMI 5085 B-1U 2 0 1Runout side B, variant 2
EMI 5085 A-1U 51 2Runout, Variant 1, Side A, Stamped
EMI 5085 B-1U 41 2Runout, Variant 1, Side B, Stamped
EMI 5085 A-1U 44 2Runout, Variant 2, Side A, Stamped
EMI 5085 A-1U 50 2Runout, Variant 2, Side B, Stamped
EMI 5085 A-1U GRunout side A
EMI 5085 B-1U GRunout side B
EMI 5085-ALabel side A
EMI 5085-BLabel side B
006 - 007321- A G ISide A, Stamped
91 11 9Side B, Stamped
006 - 007321- B G I 1Side C, Stamped
91 11 9Side D, Stamped
EMI 298 ARunout Side A
EMI 298 BRunout Side B
EMI298-ALabel Side A
EMI298-BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Argentina | EMI 1759First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Argentina | EMI 1759First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Argentina | EMI 1759First year7", Promo, White Label · Promo | 7", Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1980 | Brazil | EMI 31C 006 07321First year7", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1980 | Brazil | EMI 31C 006 07321First year7", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1980 | Canada | Harvest 72838First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | France | EMI 2C 008-07321 / EMI 2C 008-07.321First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | France | EMI 2 C 008-07321 / EMI 2C 008-07.321First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | France | EMI 2C 008-07321 / EMI 2C 008-07.321First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | France | EMI 07321First year7", 45 RPM, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1980 | Germany | EMI Electrola 1 C 006-07 321First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | EMI 073217", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1980 | Ireland | EMI EMI 5085First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | Italy | EMI 3C 006-07321First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Italy | EMI 3C 006-07321First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | EMI EMI 50857", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
34 vinyl pressings of Babooshka are listed here, from 18 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Spain, Australia, Japan and more. One of them is EMI EMI 5085, released June 23, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMI 5085, 006-007.321, EMI-298, EMS-17047) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMI 5085 A-1U C 4 2 and EMI 5085 B-1U 4 3 3. 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.
