Vinyl pressings
by Kate Bush · 1980
Never For Ever 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.
40 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 23 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.
EMA 794 A-3 3 12 MiRunout A-side, variant 1
EMA 794 B-3 3 11 Do [Spectacles logo]Runout B-side, variant 1
EMA 794 A-5 MiRunout A-side, variant 2
EMA 794 B-3 Do [Spectacles logo]Runout B-side, variant 2
EMA 794 A-3 3. 7Runout, A-side
EMA 794 B-2 GRunout, C-side
EMA 794 A-2Variant 2 - Runout, A-side
EMA 794 B-2Variant 2 - Runout, C-side
EMA 794 A-1Runout, A-side, stamped
EMA 794 B-1Runout, B-side, stamped
EMA 794 A-1 GRunout, A-side
EMA 794 B-1 DOH GRunout, B-side
STAO-6476·A- TG.Runout side A, etched
STAO-6476·D- TG.Runout side B, etched
1-6476Label side A
2-6476Label side B
EMA-794-A 1S 22 〄Runout A, stamped (Variant 1)
EMA-794-B 1S 20 〄Runout B, stamped (Variant 1)
EMA-794-A 1S 3 〄Runout A, stamped (Variant 2)
EMA-794-B 1S 10 〄Runout B, stamped (Variant 2)
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 EMI 8934First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Argentina | EMI EMI 8934First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Australia | EMI EMA.794 / EMI EMA -794First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Brazil | EMI 31C 064 07339DFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Harvest STAO-6476 / Harvest STAO 6476First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Colombia | EMI 11819First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Europe | EMI 1A 062-07339 / EMI 1A 064-07339First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Europe | EMI 038-74 6360 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | France | EMI 2 C 070 - 07339First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | EMI 2 C 070 - 07339First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1980 | Germany | EMI 1C 064-07 339First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | EMI 038-74 6360 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | EMI 1C 064-07 339First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | EMI 32 404 6First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | EMI 1C 064-07 339First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Bulgaria | Балкантон ВТА 12540 / EMI EMA 794LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1990 | Bulgaria | Балкантон ВТА 12540 / EMI EMA 794LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | Bulgaria | Балкантон ВТА 12540 / EMI EMA 794LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1990 | Bulgaria | Балкантон ВТА 12540LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Europe | Parlophone 0190295593889 / Fish People 0190295593889LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | US | Fish People 5057998201013 / Fish People FP3LPXLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | US | Fish People 5057998268627 / Fish People FP3LPLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | EMI EMA 794LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Australia | EMI EMA 794LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | EMI E1-46360LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | EMI STAO 6476LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | France | EMI 070 - 10 7339 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | EMI 064 7 46360 1LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | UK | EMI EMA 794 / EMI OC 064-07 339LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
72 vinyl pressings of Never For Ever are listed here, from 28 countries, released between 1980 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Canada, Japan, Argentina and more. One of them is EMI EMA 794, released September 8, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMA 794, STAO 6476, EMS-81336, EMI 8934) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMA 794 A-3 3 12 Mi and EMA 794 B-3 3 11 Do [Spectacles logo]. 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.
