Vinyl pressings
by Kiss · 1985
Tears Are Falling 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.
25 pressings came out in 1985, 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.
884-141-7-2-58553-PRC-R2-1 3 E1Scribed in runout A, variant 1
884-141-7-2-58555-PRC-R1 01Scribed in runout B, variant 1
884-141-7-2-58553-PRC-R2-1-3-6 STERLINGScribed in runout A, variant 2
884-141-7-2-58555-PRC-R2-1-1-Q-I STERLINGScribed in runout B, variant 2
884-141-7-2-58553-BW STERLINGSide A runout
884-141-7-2-58555-BW STERLINGSide B runout
2-58553Label A
2-58555Label B
PRO-377-1-2-58553-ESHand etched
2-58553Both labels
KISS6 A//2▽420 T 11 1 BilBo.Tape OneSide A runout
KISS6 B//2▽420 T 1 1 4 BilBo.Tape OneSide B runout
KISS 612 A // 1 ▼ 420 T 1 1 Bilbo Tape OneSide A runout (stamped/etched), variant 1
KISS 612 B // 1 ▼ 420 T 1 1 1 Bilbo Tape OneSide B runout (stamped/etched), variant 1
KISS 612 A//1 ▽ 420T Bilbo Tape OneSide A runout (stamped/etched), variant 2
KISS 612 B//2 ▽ 420T Bilbo Tape OneSide B runout (stamped/etched), 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Argentina | Mercury 00156First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | Australasia | Mercury 884 141-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Mercury MS 76240First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Europe | Mercury 884 141-7 / Phonogram 884 141-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Mercury 884 141-1First year12", EP | 12", EP |
| 1985 | Germany | Mercury 884 141-1QFirst year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Germany | Mercury 884 141-1First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Guatemala | Mercury 884141-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Mexico | Mercury S/N-548First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Mercury 884 141-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Panama | Mercury 884 141-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Spain | Mercury 884 236-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | Vertigo KISS 6 / Phonogram 884 141-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | UK | Vertigo KISS 612First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | Vertigo KISS 6 / Phonogram 884 141-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
25 vinyl pressings of Tears Are Falling are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Japan, Australasia and more. One of them is Mercury 884 141-7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 884 141-7, 884 141 7, PRO 377-1, 884 141-7 DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 884-141-7-2-58553-PRC-R2-1 3 E1 and 884-141-7-2-58555-PRC-R1 01. 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.
