Vinyl pressings
by Mel & Kim · 1988
That's The Way It Is was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
38 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 14 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.
SUPET 117 A-2U-1-2Runout A variant 1
SUPET 117 B-3U-1-1-Runout AA variant 1
SUPET 117 A-2U-1-1Runout A variant 2,stamped
SUPET 117 B-3U-1-1-Runout AA variant 2,stamped
SUPET 117 A-2U-1-2Version 1, Runout A
SUPET 117 B-3U-1-1-Version 1, Runout AA
SUPET 117 A-2U-1-1Version 2, Runout A
SUPET 117 B-3U-1-1-Version 2, Runout AA
SUPE 117 A-1U-1-Q2Side A runout
SUPE 117 B-1U-1-Q2Side B runout
SUPE 117ASide A label
SUPE 117BSide B label
SUPETX 117 A-1U-1-1Runout side A
SUPETX 117 B-4U-1-2Runout side AA
SUPETX 117 A-1U-1-Runout side A
SUPET 117 B-4U-1-Runout side AA
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australia | Liberation Records LMD 584First year12", Stereo | 12", Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | RCA PB 41831First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | RCA PT41832 / Supreme Records PT 41832First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | France | Polydor 887 338-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | France | Polydor 887 338-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1988 | Germany | Blow Up INT 125.732First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM · Colored vinyl | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM · Colored vinyl |
| 1988 | Germany | Blow Up INT 110.740First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Greece | Sakkaris Records SR 8565First year12" | 12" |
| 1988 | Ireland | Supreme Records SUPE 117First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Italy | CGD INT 15356First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Italy | CGD INT 10792First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1988 | Portugal | Supreme Records 2024806First year12" | 12" |
| 1988 | Scandinavia | Mega Records MRCX 122294First year12" | 12" |
| 1988 | Scandinavia | Mega Records MRCS 2294First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | South Africa | Gresham Records DGS 499First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
38 vinyl pressings of That's The Way It Is are listed here, from 14 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, US, Germany, Australia and more. One of them is Supreme Records SUPET 117, released February 15, 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SUPET 117, SUPE 117, SUPETX 117, SUPETP 117) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SUPET 117 A-2U-1-2 and SUPET 117 B-3U-1-1-. 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.
