Vinyl pressings
by Keith Marshall · 1981
Only Crying 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.
12 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
2040 309 S 1 320 A L 1Runout side A, stamped, variant 1
2040 309 S 2 320 A O 1Runout side B, stamped, variant 1
2040 309 S 1 320 1 YRunout side A, stamped, variant 2
2040 309 S 2 320 1 C ARunout side B, stamped, variant 2
S N A
PIK 2 A1 Ʊ S N ASide A runout, etched
PIK 2 B1 Ʊ S N ASide B runout, etched
2040 309 S 1 320 2 24Runout A, stamped
2040 309 S 2 320 2 24Runout B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Liberation Records LS-575 / Arrival Records LS-575First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Austria | Polydor 2040 309 / Arrival Records 2040 309First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Canada | Quality Q-2402XFirst year7", Stereo | 7", Stereo |
| 1981 | France | Carrere 49.763 / Carrere 49763First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Germany | Polydor 2040 314First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Italy | VIP VIP 10333 / Arrival Records VIP 10333First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | Polydor 7DM0028First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Liberation Records LS 575First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | South Africa | Bullet B 236First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | Arrival Records PIK 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Arrival Records PIK 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Germany | Polydor 2040 309 / Arrival Records 2040 309First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Spain | Movieplay 02.3325/47", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Spain | Movieplay 02.3325/47", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
14 vinyl pressings of Only Crying are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Germany, UK, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is Polydor 2040 309, released May 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2040 309, 2040 314, PIK 2, LS-575) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2040 309 S 1 320 A L 1 and 2040 309 S 2 320 A O 1. 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.
