Vinyl pressings
by Madness · 1980
Embarrassment was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. 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 1980, 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.
BUY-102-A-2 ARUNRunout, Etched Side A. Variant 1
BUY-102-B-3Runout, Etched Side B. Variant 1
BUY-102-A-2 ARUNRunout, Etched Side A. Variant 2
BUY-102-B-4Runout, Etched Side B. Variant 2
BUY -102-A-2 ARUNA-side runout - Variant 1
BUY -102-B-4B-side runout - Variant 1
Buy.102.A-1 ARUN ⋀A-side runout - Variant 2
Buy.102 B-4 ⋀B-side runout - Variant 2
Buy-102-A-3 ARUN LYN-9120-IM MAXSide A
Buy-102-B-1 MAX LYN-9121-IMSide B
BUY-102-A-2 ARUN DSide A - etched
BUY-102-B-4 ⋀Side B - etched
BUY-102-A-2 AY•47905 ARUN CSide A runout
BUY-102-B-3 AY•47905 DSide B runout
BUY-102-A-1 AY 42497 ARUN CSide A runout Variant 2
BUY-102-B-3 AY 42497 CSide B runout Variant 2
BUY -102-A-2 A ARUNSide A runout
BUY -102-B-3 ASide B runout
BUY 102-AA-side center label
BUY 102-BB-side center label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Stiff Records K-8170 / Stiff Records BUY-102First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Belgium | Stiff Records 640.209First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Belgium | Stiff Records BUY 1027", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1980 | France | Stiff Vogue 101427First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | France | Stiff Records 640 209 / Stiff Records 640.209First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | France | Stiff Records 101427 / Vogue 101427First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1980 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.12960 AC / Stiff Records 6.12 960First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.12960 AC / Stiff Records 6.12 960First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.12 9607", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1980 | Ireland | Stiff Records BUY 102First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Ireland | Stiff Records BUY 102First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Japan | Stiff Records VIPX-1567 / Stiff Records STIFF-1567First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | Stiff Records VIPX-1567 / Stiff Records STIFF-1567First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Stiff Records BUY 102First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Stiff Records BUY 102First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | UK & Europe | BMG BMGCAT868SV / Union Square Music BMGCAT868SV12", 45 RPM, EP, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
31 vinyl pressings of Embarrassment are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1980 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Australia, Belgium, France and more. One of them is Stiff Records BUY 102.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BUY 102, BUY DJ 102, K-8170, 640.209) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BUY-102-A-2 ARUN and BUY-102-B-3. 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.
