Netherlands
1979- Label and catalog number
- Stiff Records MS 13Stiff Records 12BUY53
- Format
- 12", 33 ⅓ RPM
- Runout / matrix
MS13 A 39C2Side A
MS13 B 39C2Side B
Vinyl pressings
Bird Song
by Lene Lovich · 1979
24 pressings12 countriesNew WaveSynth-popElectronicRock
Bird Song was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Bird Song
21 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 11 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.
Netherlands
1979- Label and catalog number
- Stiff Records BUY 53
- Format
- 7", Single, 45 RPM
- Runout / matrix
BUY53 A 38C1Runout (Stamped) Side A
BUY53 B 38C1Runout (Stamped) Side B
53ALabel Side A
53BLabel Side B
UK
September 28, 1979- Label and catalog number
- Stiff Records 12 BUY 53
- Format
- 12", Single
- Runout / matrix
12 BUY 53 A2 EG TAKE TO THE AIR S.A. WEA-T/P1Side A runout
12 BUY 53 B2 GLIDE AWAY EG STEVES S-5Side B runout
UK
September 28, 1979- Label and catalog number
- Stiff Records BUY 53Stiff Records BUY53
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · Green Label Push-Out Centre
- Runout / matrix
BUY 53 A - 1U SA. O EVERMORE 1A-side runout, variant 1
BUY 53 B - 1U O TRICK OR TREAT 1 SA.B-side runout, variant 1
BUY 53 A - 1U SA P 1 EVERMOREA-side runout, variant 2
BUY 53 B - 1U E TRICK OR TREAT 1 SA.B-side runout, variant 2
UK
September 28, 1979- Label and catalog number
- Stiff Records BUY 53
- Format
- 7" · Yellow Label, Push-out Centre
- Runout / matrix
BUY 53 A-1U EVERMORE 1 M SASide A runout
BUY 53 B-1U SA. TRICK OR TREAT 1 ASide B runout
UK
September 28, 1979- Label and catalog number
- Stiff Records BUY 53
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · Yellow label, solid centre
- Runout / matrix
BUY 53 A EG S.A. Ḏ J 'EVERMORE'Runout A etched
BUY 53 B TRICK OR TREAT EG Ḏ IRunout B etched
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 24 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s22 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Stiff Records K7654 / Stiff Records BUY 53First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Belgium | Stiff Records 640.176First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | France | Stiff Records 640176 / Stiff Records 640 176First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | France | Stiff Records 740 519First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1979 | France | Stiff Records 6401767", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1979 | France | Stiff Records 740 519First year12", 45 RPM, Promo, White Label · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1979 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.12 592 / Stiff Records 6.12592 ACFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Stiff Records MS 13 / Stiff Records 12BUY53First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Stiff Records BUY 53First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Scandinavia | Stiff Records BUY 53First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Spain | Stiff Records MO 1907First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Spain | Stiff Records MO 1907First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Sweden | Stiff Records 12 BUY 53First year12" | 12" |
| 1979 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 53 / Stiff Records BUY53First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | France & Benelux | Barclay 640176First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
1980s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Japan | Stiff Records VIPX-15117", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Japan | Stiff Records VIPX-15117", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
Tracklist
- ABird Song
- B1Too Tender (To Touch) (From The United States)
- B2Trixi
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Bird Song are there?
24 vinyl pressings of Bird Song are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
When was Bird Song first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in Netherlands, UK, France & Benelux, Germany and more. One of them is Stiff Records MS 13.
How do I tell if my copy of Bird Song is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MS 13, BUY 53, 12 BUY 53, 640176) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MS13 A 39C2 and MS13 B 39C2. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Bird Song on vinyl worth?
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.
