Vinyl pressings
by Kate Bush · 1981
Sat In Your Lap was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 13 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 5201 A-2U WELL DONE J.B. IST DAN G TOWNHOUSE 1Side A, stamped/etched
LPFB 1 1 1 2Side B, stamped
EMI 5201 B-2U THANK YOU DONOVAN G TOWNHOUSE 1Side C, stamped/etched
LPFB 1 1 1 2Side D, stamped
EMI 5201 A 1 1Side A
EMI 5201 B 1 1Side B
EMI 5201 A-1U WELL DONE J.B. 1ST DAN TOWNHOUSERunout side A, variant 1
EMI 5201 B-1U THANK YOU DONOVAN TOWNHOUSERunout side B, variant 1
EMI 5201 A-2U WELL DONE J.B. 1ST DAN 2 TOWNHOUSE 1Runout side A, variant 2
EMI 5201 B-2U THANK YOU DONOVAN G TOWNHOUSE 1Runout side B, variant 2
EMI 5201 A-1U 3 WELL DONE J.B. 1ST DAN TOWNHOUSERunout, variant 1, side A
EMI 5201 A-1U 3 TOWNHOUSERunout, variant 1, side A - stamped
WELL DONE J.B. 1ST DANRunout, variant 1, side A - hand etched
EMI 5201 B-1U 5 4 THANK YOU DONOVAN TOWNHOUSERunout, variant 1, side B
EMI 5201 A-3-1- 1 [sideways 1] x1Runout A, stamped
EMI 5201 B-3-1- 1 [sideways 1] 1Runout B, stamped
EMI 5201 A-2U TOWNHOUSERunout, side A – stamped
WELL DONE J.B. 1ST DANRunout, side A – etched
EMI 5201 B-1U TOWNHOUSERunout, side B – stamped
THANK YOU DONOVANRunout, side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | EMI EMI-540First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Brazil | EMI 31C 006 64452First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Canada | HARVEST 72866First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | France | EMI 2C 008-64452First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | France | Not On Label7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | Ireland | EMI EMI 5201First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Italy | EMI 3C 006-64452First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Italy | EMI 3C 006-64452First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | New Zealand | EMI EMI 5201First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Portugal | EMI 11C 008-64452 H / EMI 11C008 - 64452 HFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | South Africa | EMI EMIJ 4353First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Spain | EMI 10 C 006-064.452First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Spain | EMI 10C 006-064.452First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | UK | EMI EMI 5201First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | EMI EMI 5201First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
23 vinyl pressings of Sat In Your Lap are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Europe, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is EMI EMI 5201, released June 1, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMI 5201, 1A 006-64452, EMI-540, 31C 006 64452) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMI 5201 A-2U WELL DONE J.B. IST DAN G TOWNHOUSE 1 and LPFB 1 1 1 2. 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.
