Vinyl pressings
by Madonna · 1989
Like A Prayer 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.
67 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 19 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.
7-27539-RE1-A-DMM-SR1 SP1-1 Sterling TJRunout side A, variant 1
7-27539-B-SP1-DMM Masterdisk DMM SP1-1Runout side B, variant 1
7-27539-RE1-A-DMM-SR1 SP1-1 Sterling TJ -1Runout side A, variant 2
7-27539-B-SR1-DMM MASTERDISK DMM SP1-1Runout side B, variant 2
⋅0-21170-A-DMM-SRI SP 3-3 STERLING TJ -1Runout side A - variant 1
0-21170-B-DMM-SRI a-3 STERLING -aRunout side B - variant 1
0-21170-A-DMM-SRI SPI-2 STERLING-1 Δ 24349 13-34688-SRI-DMMRunout side A - variant 2
0-21170-B-DMM-SRI SPI-1 STERLING-2 Δ 24349-X 13-34689-SRI-DMMRunout side B - variant 2
PRO A1 3472 A DMM SH1 B-34682 STERLING -2 1-1 △24341Runout side A
PRO-A2-3472 Dmm SH1 1-1 STERLING -2 △24341-X B-34683-SH1 DmmRunout side B
R-22680-DMM-SR1 7-27539 A DJ DMM SR1 SP 1-3 SP-AR STERLING TJ 1- △24344Runout side A, etched
R-22666-SR1 7-27539-B-DJ-DMM-SR1 SP 1-2 SPAR STERLING -1 △24344-X 0-Runout side B, etched
7-27539-DJ-ALabel side A
7-27539-DJ-BLabel side B
PRO A1 3472 A DMM SH1 B-34682 STERLING -2 1-1 △24341Side A
PRO-A2-3472 Dmm SH1 1-1 STERLING -2 △24341-X B-34683-SH1 DmmSide B
W-7539-A12Runout side A - variant 1
LYN 22843 △24243 X 7-27539-B-INTL-V-DMM MASTERDISK DMM 2-1Runout side B - variant 1
W-7539-A12 C -DMM-Runout side A - variant 2
LYN 22843 C ENG. △24243-X 7-27539-B-INTL-1-Dmm MASTERDISK DMM 2-1Runout side B - 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Argentina | Sire DFW 134First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Australia | Sire 0-21170First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1989 | Australia | Sire 7.27539 / Sire 7-27539First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Australia | Sire 7-27539First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Bolivia | WEA WS-2038First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Brazil | Sire 670.4267First year12" | 12" |
| 1989 | Brazil | WEA 6WP.1015 / Sire 6WP.1015First year12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1989 | Brazil | WEA 6WP.1026First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Canada | Sire 92 11700 / Sire 92-11700First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1989 | Canada | Sire 92 75397First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Canada | Sire PRO 75397First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Canada | Sire 92-11700 / Sire 92 11700First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1989 | Canada | Sire 92 11700 / Sire 92-11700First year12", Maxi-Single, Misprint | 12", Maxi-Single, Misprint |
| 1989 | Europe | Sire 927 539-7 / Sire W 7539First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | Sire 927 539-7 / Sire W 7539First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Unknown | Not On Label (Madonna) LAP-112", 33 ⅓ RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Unknown | Not On Label (Madonna) MAD 00112", Unofficial Release, Single Sided, White Label, 33 ⅓ RPM · Unofficial | 12", Unofficial Release, Single Sided, White Label, 33 ⅓ RPM · Unofficial |
| 2004 | UK | Not On Label (Madonna) PRAYER2004 / Not On Label (Pedro Da Silva) PRAYER200412", Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Not On Label (Madonna) MAD 00112", 33 ⅓ RPM, Unofficial Release, White Label · Unofficial | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Unofficial Release, White Label · Unofficial |
| ? | Unknown | Not On Label12", 45 RPM, Promo, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing, Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing, Promo |
74 vinyl pressings of Like A Prayer are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1989 and 2004.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in US, UK, Europe, Japan and more. One of them is Sire 9 27539-7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 9 27539-7, 0-21170, PRO-A-3472, W7539) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7-27539-RE1-A-DMM-SR1 SP1-1 Sterling TJ and 7-27539-B-SP1-DMM Masterdisk DMM SP1-1. 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.
