Vinyl pressings
by Nick Heyward · 1983
Take That Situation was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1983, 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.
HEY 122 A // 1 ∇ 420 V [lyre symbol] TopiaRunout side A, variant 1
HEY 122 B // 1 ∇ 420 URunout side B, variant 1
HEY 122 A // 1 ∇ 420 V (XXX'd out) 1 1 4 ƱTOPIA.Runout side A, variant 2
HEY 122 B // 1 ∇ 420 U 1 1 3Runout side B, variant 2
HEY 2 A // 1 ∇ 420 U 1 1 2 0Runout, A-side, stamped
HEY 2 B // 1 ∇ 420 U 1 1 1 2Runout, B-side, stamped
UTOPIARunout, A & B-side, etched
Hey 2-ALabel Side A
HEY 2 A // 1 ∇ 420 URunout stamp, side A
HEY 2 B // 1 ∇ 420 URunout stamp, Side B
HEY 2 A//2∇420 UA-side runout, stamped
UTOPIA ["Lyre"TOPIA] B DAMONTA-side runout, etched
HEY 2 B-2 1 DAMONT AB-side runout, etched
Hey 2-AA-side label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Arista K-9163First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Europe | Arista 600 959First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Germany | Arista 105649First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Ireland | Arista HEY 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Arista ARI 8332First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | South Africa | Arista AAJ 1156First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Arista Hey 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Arista Hey 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Arista HEY 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Arista 105 649First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | Arista 105 649First year7", White Label | 7", White Label |
| 1983 | UK | Arista HEY 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Arista Hey 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Arista Hey 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Arista Hey 122First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
15 vinyl pressings of Take That Situation are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, Australia, Europe, Germany and more. One of them is Arista Hey 122, released May 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use Hey 122, Hey 2, HEY 2, 105 649) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, HEY 122 A // 1 ∇ 420 V [lyre symbol] Topia and HEY 122 B // 1 ∇ 420 U. 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.
