Vinyl pressings
by Madness · 1981
Shut Up 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.
22 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.
BUY · 126. A·1 PASS THAT BUCK ARUN < I OA-side runout (variant 1)
BUY - 126 - B.1 GOOD LUCK TO THE SHERPAS < 2 0B-side runout (variant 1)
BUY · 126. A·2 PASS THAT BUCK ARUN < I OA-side runout (variant 2)
BUY - 126 - B.2 GOOD LUCK TO THE SHERPAS < 2 0B-side runout (variant 2)
BUY-IT-126-A1 ARunout, Side A, variant 1
BUY-IT-126-B1 ARunout, Side B, variant 1
BUY-IT-126-A1 D CRunout, Side A, variant 2
BUY-IT-126-B1 ARunout, Side B, variant 2
BUY · 126. A·2 PASS THAT BUCK ARUN < I O AY 52724A-side runout, etched/stamped - variant 1
BUY - 126 - B.2 GOOD LUCK TO THE SHERPAS < 2 0 AY 52724B-side runout, etched /stamped- variant 1
BUY · 126. A·1 PASS THAT BUCK ARUNA-side runout, etched - variant 2
BUY - 126 - B.1 GOOD LUCK TO THE SHERPASB-side runout, etched - variant 2
Buy · 126. A·2 PASS THAT BUCK- ARUNHand etched runout, side A
Buy - 126 - B.1 GOOD LUCK TO THE FAITHFUL SHERPASHand etched runout, side B
DStamped runout, side A
43 ΛStamped runout, side B
BUY- 126 A4 MPO.A-side runout, variant 1
BUY- 126 B4 MPO.B-side runout, variant 1
BUY. 126 A5 MPO.A-side runout, variant 2
BUY. 126 B5 MPOB-side runout, variant 2
BUY·126-A-2 C PASS THAT BUCK ARUN AY 52724Runout, A side, etched/stamped, variant 1
BUY-126.B.1 GOOD LUCK TO THE FAITHFUL SHERPAS ( ) AY 52724Runout, B side, etched/stamped, variant 1
BUY·126-A-2 PASS THAT BUCK C ARUN AY 52724Runout, A side, etched/stamped, variant 2
BUY-126.B.2 C GOOD LUCK TO THE SHERPAS AY 52724Runout, B side, etched/stamped, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Stiff Records K-8506First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | France | Stiff Records 101557 / Vogue 101557First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.13260 AC / Stiff Records 6.13 260First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Teldec 6.13260 / Stiff Records BUY 126First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.13260 AC / Stiff Records 6.13 260First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Ireland | Stiff Records BUY 126First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Italy | Stiff Records STIF 126First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Stiff Records BUY-IT 126First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Stiff Records BUY 126First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | South Africa | Stiff Records STF 39First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 126First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Stiff Records BUY IT 126 / Stiff Records BUYIT 126First year12", Single, Stereo | 12", Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Stiff Records BUY DJ 126First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 126First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 126First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Stiff Records BUY 1267", Single | 7", Single |
23 vinyl pressings of Shut Up are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Belgium, Netherlands, Australia and more. One of them is Stiff Records BUY 126.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BUY 126, BUY IT 126, BUY126, BUY DJ 126) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BUY · 126. A·1 PASS THAT BUCK ARUN < I O and BUY - 126 - B.1 GOOD LUCK TO THE SHERPAS < 2 0. 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.
