Vinyl pressings
by Mica Paris · 1988
Breathe Life Into Me 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.
9 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 3 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.
12 BRW 115 A-1U-1-1 MIKE'SRunout stamped side A with MIKE'S etched
12 BRW 115 B-1U-1-1 THE EXCHANGERunout stamped side B with THE EXCHANGE etched
BRW 115 A-1U-1-3 MIKE'SSide A runout stamped / etched, variant 1
BRW 115 B-1U-1-2 *THE EXCHANGE*Side B runout stamped / etched, variant 1
BRW-115-A-2 C - MF MIKE'S LYN 21846Side A, runout, variant 2
BRW-115-B-2 M ∝THE EXCHANGE∝ MT1 LYN 21847Side B, runout, variant 2
12 BRX 115-ASide A label
12 BRX 115-BSide B label
BRW 115 A-1U-1-Q2 MIKE'SSide A runout stamped / etched
BRW 115 B-1U-1-Q4 *THE EXCHANGE*Side B runout stamped / etched
12 BRW 115 A-1U-1-1 MIKE'SSide A stamped,etched
12 BRW 115 B-1U-1-1 THE EXCHANGESide B stamped,etched
12 BRW 115 A-1U-1 1Side A runout
12 BRW 115 B-1U-1 1Side B runout
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 | Europe | Island Records 111 773First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Island Records 111 773First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Germany | Island Records 611 773First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | 4th & Broadway 12 BRX 115First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | 4th & Broadway 12 BRW 115First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | UK | 4th & Broadway 12 BRW 115First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | UK | 4th & Broadway BRW 115First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | 4th & Broadway 12 BRW 115First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | 4th & Broadway BRW 115First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | US | Island Records DMD 138012", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1989 | US | Island Records 0-9653112", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1989 | US | Island Records 7-991787", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
12 vinyl pressings of Breathe Life Into Me are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1988 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, Europe, Germany. One of them is 4th & Broadway 12 BRW 115, released October 10, 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 12 BRW 115, BRW 115, 12 BRX 115, 111 773) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 12 BRW 115 A-1U-1-1 MIKE'S and 12 BRW 115 B-1U-1-1 THE EXCHANGE. 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.
