Vinyl pressings
by Nils Lofgren · 1981
Night Fades Away was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
Made in Germany 103810 A-1/81S IRunout Groove Side A
Made in Germany 103810 B-1/81S IRunout Groove Side B
S 103.810 ALabel Matrix Side A
S 103.810 BLabel Matrix Side B
MC-12230E-PLI Precision SM
MC-12230E-PLI Precision SM
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Backstreet Records BSR 51191First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Backstreet Records BSR-51191First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Germany | MCA Records 103 521 / Backstreet Records 103 521First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Japan | Backstreet Records VIMX-1530First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Backstreet Records 103.810 / MCA Records 103.810First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | South Africa | MCA Records PD 2006First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | US | Backstreet Records BSR-51191First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | US | Backstreet Records BSR-51191First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Backstreet Records BSR-51191First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | MCA Records MCA 749 / Backstreet Records MCA 749First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | MCA Records MCA 749 / Backstreet Records MCA 749First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | MCA Records MCAT 749First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
12 vinyl pressings of Night Fades Away are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Netherlands, UK, US, New Zealand and more. One of them is Backstreet Records 103.810.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 103.810, MCA 749, MCAT 749, BSR-51191) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, Made in Germany 103810 A-1/81S I and Made in Germany 103810 B-1/81S I. 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.
