Vinyl pressings
by Madness · 1983
The Sun And The Rain was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 5 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 192 A4 THE MUSIC MAKERS BILBO TAPE ONERunout, A-side, hand etched, variant 1
BUY 192 B5Runout, B-side, hand etched, variant 1
BUY 192 A3 THE MUSIC MAKERS BILBO TAPE ONERunout, A-side, hand etched, variant 2
BUY 192 B6 SCREAM BOO HOO BOO HOO BILBO TAPE ONERunout, B-side, hand etched, variant 2
P+BUY+192+A BILBO TAPE ONE ORLAKERunout A-side etched, variant 1
P+BUY+192+B2 B ORLAKE SCREAM BOO HOO BILBO TAPE ONERunout A-side etched, variant 1
P+BUY+192+A BILBO. TAPE ONE B ORLAKERunout A-side etched, variant 2
P+BUY+192+B2 C ORLAKE SCREAM BOO HOO BILBO. TAPE ONERunout B-side etched, variant 2
BUY-IT 192 A1 B BILBO TAPE ONE 4 1 THERE'S A MAN I KNOW...Runout side A, etched, variant 1
BUY IT 192 B2 CRunout side B, etched, variant 1
A BUY-IT 192 A1 BILBO TAPE ONE THERE'S A MAN I KNOW...Runout side A, stamped / etched, variant 2
A BUY IT 192 B2Runout side B, stamped / etched, variant 2
BUY-IT 192 A1 B BILBO TAPE ONE 4 1 THERE'S A MAN I KNOW...Runout side A variant 1, etched
BUY IT 192 B2 CRunout side B variant 1, etched
⋀ BUY-IT 192 A1 BILBO TAPE ONE THERE'S A MAN I KNOW...Runout side A variant 2, etched/stamped
⋀ BUY IT 192 B2Runout side B variant 2, etched/stamped
BUY 192 A5 THE MUSIC MAKERS POUNDA TA1PE AA-Side runout, variant 1
BUY-192.B5 SCREAM BOO HOO BOO HOO! AB-Side runout, variant 1
BUY 192 A5 THE MUSIC MAKERS POUNDA TA1PE AA-Side runout, variant 2
BUY-192.B6 SCREAM BOO HOO BOO HOO! BILBO- TAPE ONE D 2 0B-Side runout, variant 2
BUY 192 A2 BiBo Tape OneSide A
BUY 192 B5 SCREAM BOO HOO BOO HOO!Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Europe | Stiff Records 601098First year12" | 12" |
| 1983 | Germany | Stiff Records 106 033First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Stiff Records 106 033First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Stiff Records BUY 192 / Stiff Records BUY-192First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Stiff Records BUY 192 / Stiff Records BUY-192First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 192First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | Stiff Records P BUY 192First year7", 45 RPM, Picture Disc, Single · Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Picture Disc, Single · Picture disc |
| 1983 | UK | Stiff Records BUYIT 192 / Stiff Records Buy It 192First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Stiff Records BUYDJ 192First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 192 / Virgin VS 7897", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| 1983 | UK | Stiff Records BUYIT 192 / Stiff Records Buy it 192First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 192First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Geffen Records 7-29350First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | Geffen Records 7-29350First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Canada | Geffen Records 92 935077", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
26 vinyl pressings of The Sun And The Rain are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1983 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Europe, Germany and more. One of them is Stiff Records BUY 192.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BUY 192, P BUY 192, BUYIT 192, BUYDJ 192) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BUY 192 A4 THE MUSIC MAKERS BILBO TAPE ONE and BUY 192 B5. 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.
