Vinyl pressings
by Neil Sedaka · 1975
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. 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 1975, the album's first year, in 9 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.
MC 4354 W-3Runout, Side A, Etched
MC 4664 W-3Runout, Side B, Etched
◈-P-◈Runout, Side A&B, Stamped
MC4354A Side Label
MC 4354 W-1 ⧈-G-⧈Runout side A, variant 1
MC 4664 W-2 ⧈-G-⧈Runout side B, variant 1
MC 4354 W-2 ⧈-G-⧈Runout side A, variant 2
MC 4664 W-1 ⧈-G-⧈Runout side B, variant 2
MC 4354Side A Label
MC 4663Side B Label
2058684 A//1 IB 11 5 MELYS IBCA-side runout
2058684 B//1 IB 11 3 MELYSB-side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Canada | Polydor 2058 669-DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | France | Polydor 2058 684First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Guatemala | Polydor 2058 684First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Ireland | Polydor 2058 684First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Philippines | Polydor PRO-3460First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1975 | UK | Polydor 2058 684First year7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1975 | UK | Polydor 2058 684First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | UK | Polydor 2058 684First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox · Colored vinyl |
| 1975 | US | The Rocket Record Company PIG-40500 / MCA Records PIG-40500First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | US | The Rocket Record Company PIG - 40500First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | US | The Rocket Record Company PIG-40500First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | US | The Rocket Record Company PIG-40500First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Belgium | Polydor 2058 684First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1975 | Canada | Polydor 2058 669First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1975 | Canada | Polydor 2058 669First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
19 vinyl pressings of Breaking Up Is Hard To Do are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1975 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, UK, Belgium, Canada and more. One of them is The Rocket Record Company PIG-40500.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PIG-40500, PIG - 40500, 2058 684, 2058 669) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MC 4354 W-3 and MC 4664 W-3. 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.
