Vinyl pressings
by Madonna · 1989
Express Yourself was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
34 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 15 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.
0-21225-A DMM- SRI SPI-4 STERLING-2Runout side A - variant 1
0-21225-B-DMM-SRI STERLING-2 SPI-1Runout side B - variant 1
0-21225 A DMM SR2 SP1-1 STERLING-1Runout side A - variant 2
0-21225-B-DMM-SR1 STERLING-2 SP1-4Runout side B - variant 2
7-22948-A-DMM-SR1 STERLING-1 SP 1-1Runout side A, etched
7-22948-B-DMM-SR1 STERLING-2 SP 1-1Runout side B, etched
7-22948-ALabel side A
7-22948-BLabel side B
7-22948-A DMM SR1 SP-AR R-23169 STERLING 1 SP 1-3 o △25120Side A runout
7-22948-DJ DMM-SR1 SP 1-2 SP-AR STERLING 2 ° △25126 R-23181Side B runout
W2948TA-1 TOWNHOUSE DMM DAMONT BRunout etched side A
W2948TB-1 TOWNHOUSE DMM DAMONT BRunout etched side B
7 2948 A DMM INT'L-1 △25097 STERLING -1 1-1 W2948 A-1 N J ENG DAMONTSide A, etched
7 2948 B DAMONT DMM INT'L-1 △25097 - X STERLING-1 1-1 W2948 B-1 D ENGSide B, etched
W2948TP A-1 TOWNHOUSE DMM DAMONTRunout side A
W2948TP B-1 TOWNHOUSE DMM DAMONTRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Brazil | WEA 6WP.1037First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Canada | Sire 92 12250First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Canada | Sire 92 29487First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Canada | Sire 92 12250First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Canada | Sire 92 29487First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Europe | Sire W 2948 T / Sire 921 249-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | Sire W 2948 / Sire 922 948-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | Sire W 2948 / Sire 922 948-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | Sire W 2948 T / Sire 921 249-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | Sire 921 249-0 / Sire W 2948 TFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Guatemala | Sire 22948-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1989 | Guatemala | Discos de CentroaméricaFirst year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Ireland | Sire W 2948First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Italy | Sire 92 2948-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1989 | Mexico | Sire PRO 362First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Sire 0-2122512", Maxi-Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
35 vinyl pressings of Express Yourself are listed here, from 15 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in US, UK, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is Sire 0-21225, released May 1989.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 0-21225, 9 22948-7, 7-22948-DJ, W2948T) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 0-21225-A DMM- SRI SPI-4 STERLING-2 and 0-21225-B-DMM-SRI STERLING-2 SPI-1. 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.
