Vinyl pressings
by Mint Juleps · 1985
Only Love Can Break Your Heart was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 4 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 241 A-1U-1-2-X1 timtomRunout side A, variant 1
BUY 241 B-1U-1-1-1Runout side B, variant 1
BUY 241 A-1U-1-2-2 timtomRunout side A, variant 2
BUY 241 B-1U-1-1- 1Runout side B, variant 2
BUYIT 241 AA-3U-1-2- timtomSide A runout
BUYIT 241 B-1UTY-1-1-x1Side B runout
BUYIT 241-ASide A label
BUYIT 241-BSide B label
MX-65891A
MX-65892B
MX-65891A
MX-65892B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | Stiff Records K-9975First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Belgium | Stiff Records BUYIT 12241First year12" | 12" |
| 1985 | Belgium | Stiff Records BUY 7241 / Stiff Records FAB. BUY 241First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Stiff Records K9975First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 241First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | Stiff Records Buy it 241 / Stiff Records BUYIT 241First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1986 | France | Stiff Records 2240212", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | France | Stiff Records 220037", Single | 7", Single |
| 1986 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.14587 / Stiff Records 6.14587 AC7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Germany | Stiff Records 6.14587 / Stiff Records 6.14587 AC7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Italy | Stiff Records ST 207 / Stiff Records STNP / 2077", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
11 vinyl pressings of Only Love Can Break Your Heart are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, Australia, Belgium, New Zealand. One of them is Stiff Records BUY 241.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BUY 241, Buy it 241, K-9975, BUYIT 12241) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BUY 241 A-1U-1-2-X1 timtom and BUY 241 B-1U-1-1-1. 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.
