Vinyl pressings
by Kate Bush · 1985
Cloudbusting 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.
28 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 10 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.
12KB 2 A-1U-1-1- - 1 TOWNHOUSERunout side A, variant 1
12KB 2 B-2U-1-1- - X1 TOWNHOUSERunout side B, variant 1
12KB 2 A-2U-1-1- ‘x1 TOWNHOUSERunout side A, variant 2
12KB 2 B-2U-1-1- , x1 TOWNHOUSERunout side B, variant 2
FOR PEEPS KB 2 A-3U-1-Q2-5Runout, side A
TOWNHOUSE KB 2 B-3U-1-Q2- 4Runout, side B
DAMONT COOPERMAN FOR PEEPS B KB 2 A-1U-1-Runout, variant 1, side A
DAMONT TOWNHOUSE B KB 2 B-1U-1-Runout, variant 1, side B
DAMONT COOPERMAN FOR PEEPS KB 2 A-1U-1-Runout, variant 2, side A
DAMONT TOWNHOUSE KB 2 B-2U-1-Runout, variant 2, side B
12KB 2 A-2U-1-1- - 1 TOWNHOUSERunout, A-side, stamped/etched
12KB 2 B-2U-1-1- - X1 TOWNHOUSERunout, B-side, stamped/etched
12KB 2ALabel, A-side
12KB 2BLabel, B-side
12KB 2 A-1-1Side A runout, stamped
12KB 2 B-2U-1-1Side B runout, stamped
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 | Australia | EMI EMI-1633 / EMI EMI.1633First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | Australia | EMI EMI-1633First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Australia | EMI ED-151 / EMI ED.151First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Europe | EMI 1A 006-20 0899 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | EMI 2008997First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Germany | EMI 1C 006 20 0899 7 / EMI 006 20 0899 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | EMI 006 20 0899 77", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | Ireland | EMI KB 2First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | Italy | EMI 06 2008997First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | Italy | EMI 14 2008986First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Japan | EMI S14-129First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Japan | EMI S14-129First year12", White Label | 12", White Label |
| 1985 | South Africa | EMI EMIJ 2008997 / EMI EMISA 3504First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | South Africa | EMI PS 40 A / EMI PS 40 AFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Spain | EMI 006 20 0899 7 / EMI 006-2008997First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
36 vinyl pressings of Cloudbusting are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1985 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, Japan, Europe, Australia and more. One of them is EMI 12KB 2, released October 14, 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 12KB 2, KB 2, 12KB2, S14-129) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 12KB 2 A-1U-1-1- - 1 TOWNHOUSE and 12KB 2 B-2U-1-1- - X1 TOWNHOUSE. 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.
