Vinyl pressings
by Nik Kershaw · 1985
When A Heart Beats was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1985, 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.
60+ NIK 9 A DM POLYGRAMRunout (Stamped) Side A
60+ NIK 9 B DM POLYGRAMRunout (Stamped) Side B
Utopia BRunout (Etched) Side B
UTOPIA NIK 9 A / 2 ▽ 420 Uside A
UTOPIA NIK 9 B / 2 ▽ 420 Uside B
604 NIK 9 A DM POLYGRAMRunout (Stamped) Side A
604 NIK 9 B DM POLYGRAMRunout (Stamped) Side B
Utopia BRunout (Etched) Side B
NIKT-9-A1 ▻Side A, variant 1
NIKT-9-B-1 ▻Side B, variant 1
NIK-T-9-A2Side A, variant 2
NIKT-9-B-1 ▻Side B, variant 2
NIK+TP+9+A JA ORLAKESide A runout
NIK+TP+9+B ORLAKESide B runout
60+ NIKDJ 009 A //1 420U Utopia 408 VERSIONRunout Side A
420 version UtopiaHandwritten, B-Side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | MCA Records NIK 9First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Australia | MCA Records 0-NIK 9First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Ireland | MCA Records NIK 9First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Italy | MCA Records 258 823-0First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Italy | MCA Records 25 8823-7First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1985 | Spain | MCA Records S 258 823-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Spain | Wea Records, S.A. MS 2 58823-0First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1985 | Spain | MCA Records 25 8823-7First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | UK | MCA Records NIKT 9First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | MCA Records NIKTP 9First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1985 | Europe | MCA Records 258 823-0First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | MCA Records 258 823-0First year12", 45 RPM, Mispress, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Mispress, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | MCA Records NIKDJ 9First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | UK | MCA Records NIK 9First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | UK | MCA Records NIK 9First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
19 vinyl pressings of When A Heart Beats are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, Europe, Germany, Australia and more. One of them is MCA Records NIK 9, released November 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use NIK 9, NIKT 9, NIKTP 9, NIKDJ 9) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 60+ NIK 9 A DM POLYGRAM and 60+ NIK 9 B DM POLYGRAM. 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.
