Vinyl pressings
by Kate Bush · 1980
December Will Be Magic Again 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.
10 pressings came out in 1980, 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.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS [spectacles] 1 EMI 5121 A-4 13Runout, Variant 1, Side A
1 EMI 5121 B-3 9Runout, Variant 1, Side B
HAPPY CHRISTMAS [spectacles] 1 EMI 5121 A4 C 1Runout, Variant 2, Side A
EMI 5121 B-3 9 1Runout, Variant 2, Side B
EMI 5121 A-4 GSide A (Stamped)
HAPPY CHRISTMAS [spectacles]Side A (Etched)
EMI 5121 A-4 7 HAPPY CHRISTMAS [spectacles]Side A, stamped, "HAPPY CHRISTMAS [spectacles]" etched
EMI 5121 B-3 CSide B, stamped
EMI 5121 B-3 CSide A, stamped
LPFB 86Side B, stamped
HAPPY CHRISTMAS [SPECTACLES IMAGE] EMI 5121 A - 4Side A, etched, stamped
EMI 5121 B-6 IRL CSide B, stamped
EMIB 5121 ALabel side A
EMIB 5121 BLabel side B
EMI 390ASide A, Etched
EMI 390BSide B, Etched
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 | Australia | EMI EMI-390First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | France | EMI 2C 008-07421 / EMI 2C 008-07.421First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Germany | EMI 1 C 006-07 421 / EMI Electrola 1 C 006-07 421First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Germany | EMI 1 C 006-07 421 / EMI Electrola 1 C 006-07 421First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Netherlands | EMI 1A 006-07421First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | EMI EMI 5121First year7", 45 RPM, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1980 | UK | EMI EMI 5121First year7", 45 RPM, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1980 | Ireland | EMI EMIB 5121First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | UK | EMI EMI 5121First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | UK | EMI EMI 5121First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, White Label |
10 vinyl pressings of December Will Be Magic Again are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Ireland, Australia, France and more. One of them is EMI EMI 5121, released November 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMI 5121, EMIB 5121, EMI-390, 2C 008-07421) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, HAPPY CHRISTMAS [spectacles] 1 EMI 5121 A-4 13 and 1 EMI 5121 B-3 9. 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.
