Vinyl pressings
by Neil Young · 1987
Life was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 10 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.
GHS-24154-A-SH2 [ARC logo] B-27555-SH2 1-1 △ 16613 CBSide A runout etch variant 1
GHS-24154-B-SH2 [ARC logo] B-27556-SH1 1-1 △ 16613X CBSide B runout etch variant 1
GHS-24154-A-SH3 [ARC logo] B-27555-SH3 △ 16613-X 1-1Side A runout etch variant 2
GHS-24154-B-SH2 CR [ARC logo] B-27556-SH2 △ 16613-X 1-1Side B runout etch variant 2
[SRC Logo] GHS-24154-A-SR2 CB.Side 1 Runout Etch [Variant 1]
[SRC Logo] GHS-24154-B-SR2 1-1 CB.Side 2 Runout etch [Variant 1]
SRC (Logo) GHS-24154-A-SR1 CB. \-3Side 1 Runout Etch [Variant 2]
SRC(Logo) GHS-24154-A-SR2 \-1 CB.Side 2 Runout etch [Variant 2]
GHS-A-24154-INTL-1 Q△16668 1-5 JAPANSide A [etched]
P-13532-1 1M-A-1 + CSSide A [stamped]
GHS-B-24154-INTL-1 Q△16668-X 1-5 JAPANSide B [etched]
P-13532-2 1M-A-2Side B [stamped]
LSGEFF 71025 A 110887 SBA
LSGEFF 71025 B 110887 SBB
AUST GHS-A-24154 INTL-1 16668 1-4 MX 213389-1 24154-1Side A
AUST GHS-B-24154 INTL-1 16668 1-4 MX 213389-1 24154-1Side B
Allied 'a' logoStamped in runouts
GHS-A-24154-INTL-2 △16668 1-4 DM-3 CAN.Side 1 runout variant 1
GHS-B-24154-INTL-1 CAN. △16668-X 1-4 DM-2Side 2 runout variant 1
GHS-A-24154-INTL-1 ɑ △16668 1-3 DM-2 CAN.Side 1 runout variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australasia | Geffen Records 24154.1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Geffen Records XGHS 24154First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Geffen Records GHS 24154LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | Canada | Geffen Records GHS 24154LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | Europe | Geffen Records 924 154-1 / Geffen Records WX 109First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Ireland | Geffen Records WX109First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Italy | Geffen Records 92 4154-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Portugal | Geffen Records 1591801First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Spain | Geffen Records 924 154-1 / Geffen Records 924154-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Spain | Geffen Records 924 154-1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | US | Geffen Records GHS 24154First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | Geffen Records GHS 24154LP, Album, Reissue, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Reissue, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | US | Geffen Records GHS 24154LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | US | Geffen Records GHS 24154First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Japan | Geffen Records P-13532First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
18 vinyl pressings of Life are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1987 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, Japan, Yugoslavia, Australasia and more. One of them is Geffen Records GHS 24154.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GHS 24154, P-13532, SLGEFF 71025, 24154.1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, GHS-24154-A-SH2 [ARC logo] B-27555-SH2 1-1 △ 16613 CB and GHS-24154-B-SH2 [ARC logo] B-27556-SH1 1-1 △ 16613X CB. 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.
