Vinyl pressings
by Neil Sedaka · 1962
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do was first pressed on vinyl in 1962. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1962, the album's first year, in 8 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.
N2 PW1312 - - 1SRunout Side A - Variant 1
K2 PW0800 - - 1SRunout Side B - Variant 1
N2 PW1312 - - 3SRunout Side A - Variant 2
K2 PW0800 - - 5SRunout Side B - Variant 2
N2 PW1312--4S HRunout, side A, stamped
K2 PW0800--4S HRunout, side B, stamped
N2PW-1312Label side A
K2PW-0800Label side B
N2 PW1312--1S AS R RSide A runout
K2 PW0800--1S D2 R RSide B runout
N2PW-1313Side A label
K2PW-0800Side B label
N2PW-1312-1C G 2 LESide A runout
K2PW-0800-1C M 2BSide B runout
N2PW-1312Side A label
K2PW-0800Side B label
N2PW-1312-1CSide A runout, stamped
K2PW-0800-1CSide A runout, stamped
N2PW-1312Side A label, inverted & within parenthesis
K2PW-0800Side B label, inverted & within parenthesis
N2PW-1312-1C EE 2Runout side A, stamped
K2PW-0800-1C B 2Runout side B, stamped
(N2PW-1312)Label side A, inverted
(K2PW-0800)Label side B, inverted
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Australia | RCA 101314First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1962 | Canada | RCA Victor 47-8046First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1962 | France | RCA 45.513First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1962 | Germany | RCA 47-8046First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1962 | Germany | RCA 47-8046First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1962 | New Zealand | RCA 4/60299First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1962 | Spain | RCA 47-8046First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1962 | UK | RCA 45-RCA 1298 / RCA 47-8046First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1962 | UK | RCA Victor RCA 1298First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1962 | UK | RCA 45-RCA 1298 / RCA 45-RCA-1298First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1962 | UK | RCA 45-RCA-1298First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1962 | UK | RCA 45-RCA 1298First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1962 | UK | RCA 45-RCA 1298 / RCA 45-RCA-1298First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1962 | US | RCA Victor 47-8046First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1962 | US | RCA Victor 47-8046First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Chile | RCA Victor 47-80467", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Japan | Victor SS-13057", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| ? | South Africa | RCA Victor 41.5327", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
21 vinyl pressings of Breaking Up Is Hard To Do are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1962 and 1969.
The earliest pressings are from 1962, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is RCA Victor 47-8046, released June 1962.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 47-8046, 45-RCA 1298, 45-RCA-1298, RCA 1298) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, N2 PW1312 - - 1S and K2 PW0800 - - 1S. 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.
