Vinyl pressings
by Nick Kamen · 1987
Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever 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.
29 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 12 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.
R / S Alsdorf 248447-7-A X BEVariant 1 - runout side A
R / S Alsdorf 248447-7-B XVariant 1 - runout side B
R / S Alsdorf 248447-7-A DVariant 2 - runout side A
R / S Alsdorf 248447-7-BXXVariant 2 - runout side B
R / S Alsdorf 248447-7-ARunout area side A
R / S Alsdorf 248447-7-BRunout area side B
GEMA/BIEM
YZ-106 T-A1 1MT. DAMONTSide A runout
YZ-106 T-51 1MT. DAMONTSide B runout
YZ 106 A // 2 ∇ 420 R 11 ARUN 2Runout stamped/etched side A
YZ 106 B // 2 ∇ 420 R 11 1Runout stamped side B
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 | Australia | WEA 7.248447First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Australia | WEA 248 443-0First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Canada | WEA 24 84430First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Canada | WEA 24 84477First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Canada | WEA 24 84477First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Europe | WEA YZ 106 T / WEA 248 443-0First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | WEA YZ 106 / WEA 248 447-77", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| 1987 | France | WEA 248 447-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | France | WEA 248 447-7 / WEA YZ 106First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Germany | WEA YZ 106 / WEA 248 447-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Ireland | WEA YZ 106First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Italy | WEA 24 8447-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Italy | WEA 24 8443-0First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1987 | Philippines | Warner Bros. Records DS-123 / Warner Bros. Records 248443-0First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition, Special Edition · Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition, Special Edition · Limited |
| 1987 | Philippines | Warner Bros. Records WB-77-576First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
30 vinyl pressings of Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK & Europe, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is WEA 248 447-7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 248 447-7, YZ 106, YZ 106T, YZ 106V) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R / S Alsdorf 248447-7-A X BE and R / S Alsdorf 248447-7-B X. 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.
