Vinyl pressings
by Level 42 · 1984
Hot Water was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 9 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.
603 POSP 697 A POLYGRAM A 4 TOWNHOUSE BStamped/etched runout side A
603 POSP 697 B POLYGRAM A 3 TOWNHOUSE BStamped/etched runout side B
POSP 697 A // 3 ▽ 420 H TOWNHOUSEStamped/etched runout side A variant 1
POSP 697 B // 1 ▽ 420 H TOWNHOUSEStamped runout side B variant 1
POSP 697 A // 3 ▽ 420 H TOWNHOUSEStamped/etched runout side A variant 2
POSP 697 B // 2 ▽ 420 H TOWNHOUSEStamped runout side B variant 2
POSPX 697 A // 1 ▽ 420 H TOWNHOUSESide A runout, stamped. Variant 1
POSPX 697 B // 2 ▽ 420 H TOWNHOUSESide B runout, stamped. Variant 1
POSPX 697 A // 2 ▽ 420 H 1 1 5 TOWNHOUSESide A runout, stamped. Variant 2
POSPX 697 B // 1 ▽ 420 H 1 1 1 TOWNHOUSESide B runout, stamped. Variant 2
POSPX 697 A//1▼420 H TOWNHOUSESide A runout
POSPX 697 B//1▼420 H TOWNHOUSESide B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Polydor 881 262-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1984 | Australia | Polydor 881 262-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Benelux | Polydor 881262-1 / Polydor 881 262-1First year12", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1984 | France | Polydor 881 262-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | France | Polydor 881 609-7First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | France | Polydor 881 660-1First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Germany | Polydor 881 262-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Germany | Polydor 881 262-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Ireland | Polydor POSP 697First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Polydor 881 262-1 / Polydor 881262-1First year12", EP, 45 RPM | 12", EP, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Polydor 881 262-7 / Polydor 881262-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Spain | Polydor 881 262-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Spain | Polydor 881 262-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Polydor POSPX 697 / Polydor 881 262-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Polydor POSPX 697-DJ / Polydor 881 262-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
31 vinyl pressings of Hot Water are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1984 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Germany, Australia and more. One of them is Polydor POSP 697, released August 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POSP 697, POSPX 697, POSPA 697, POSPX 697-DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 603 POSP 697 A POLYGRAM A 4 TOWNHOUSE B and 603 POSP 697 B POLYGRAM A 3 TOWNHOUSE B. 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.
