Vinyl pressings
by Morrissey · 1989
Interesting Drug 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.
17 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 7 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.
POP 1621 A-1U-1-1 ESCAPE FROM VALIUMSide A runout, variant 1
POP 1621 B-1U-1-1 RETURN TO VALIUMSide B runout, variant 1
POP 1621 A-1U-1-1 ESCAPE FROM VALIUMSide A runout, variant 2
POP 1621 B-1U-1-2 RETURN TO VALIUMSide B runout, variant 2
12 POP 1621 A-1U-1-1 ESCAPE FROM VALIUMSide A runout, variant 1
12 POP 1621 B-1U-1-2 RETURN TO VALIUMSide B runout, variant 1
12 POP 1621 A-1U-1-1 ESCAPE FROM VALIUMSide A runout, variant 2
12 POP 1621 B-1U-1-3 RETURN TO VALIUMSide B runout, variant 2
12POPS 1621 A-1-1-1 Penthouse "WHAT KIND OF MAN READS DENIM DELINQUENT?"Side A runout
12POPS 1621ASide A label, in brackets
12 POP 1621 A-1U-1-1 [stamped] ESCAPE FROM VALIUMSide A
12 POP 1621 B-1U-1-2 [stamped] RETURN TO VALIUMSide B
12 POP 1621 A-1U-1-1 ESCAPE FROM VALIUMSide 1
SPM 29 BSide 2
SPM 29 A-1U-1-1Side A, Stamped
HOSSCAH! HOSSCAH!Side A, Etched
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 | Canada | Sire 92 12320 / Reprise Records 92 12320First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1989 | Italy | His Master's Voice 06 2033017 / His Master's Voice 2033017First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Italy | His Master's Voice 06 2033017 / His Master's Voice 2033017First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Italy | His Master's Voice 14 2033016First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Italy | His Master's Voice 14 2033016First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Portugal | His Master's Voice 2033017First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | UK | His Master's Voice POP 16217", 45 RPM, Advance, Single, Test Pressing, White Label, Stereo · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Advance, Single, Test Pressing, White Label, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1989 | Europe | His Master's Voice K 060 20 3301 6 / His Master's Voice 060- 20 3301 6First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Europe | His Master's Voice 006 20 3301 7 / EMI Electrola 006 20 3301 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | UK | His Master's Voice POP 1621First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | UK | His Master's Voice 12POP 1621First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | UK | His Master's Voice 12POPDJ 1621First year12", 45 RPM, Promo, Single · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo, Single · Promo |
| 1989 | UK | His Master's Voice 12POPS 1621First year12", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Etched, Mispress | 12", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Etched, Mispress |
| 1989 | US | Sire 0-21232 / Reprise Records 0-21232First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK | His Master's Voice 12POPS 1621First year12", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Etched, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Etched, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | His Master's Voice POP 16217" | 7" |
19 vinyl pressings of Interesting Drug are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in UK, US, Europe, Australia and more. One of them is His Master's Voice POP 1621, released April 1989.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POP 1621, 12POP 1621, 12POPS 1621, 12POPDJ 1621) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POP 1621 A-1U-1-1 ESCAPE FROM VALIUM and POP 1621 B-1U-1-1 RETURN TO VALIUM. 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.
