Vinyl pressings
by Olivia Newton-John · 1981
Physical 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.
42 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 32 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.
20 SMX . 57663 W2A 3Side A runout, hand etched, Variant 1
58 SMX . 57664 W2ASide B runout, hand etched, Variant 1
2 SMX . 57663 W2A2Side A runout, hand etched, Variant 2
4 SMX . 57664 W2A2Side B runout, hand etched, Variant 2
EMC 3386 A-3Stamped side A runout
EMC 3386 B-1Stamped side B runout
NickzSide B runout, etched
EMC 3386ALabel side A
EMC 3386 A-4 80 NICKZ PENTHOUSE MASTERING 1Runout side A, Variant 1
EMC 3386 B-4 78 1Runout side B, Variant 1
EMC 3386 A-4 55 NICKZ PENTHOUSE MASTERING 1Runout side A, Variant 2
EMC 3386 B-1 57 NICKZ 1Runout side B, Variant 2
MCA-2642-ML-1 TML-X ⧈-G-⧈ 5Side A, variant 1
MCA-2643-ML2 TML-M 1 ⧈-G-⧈Side B, variant 1
MCA-2642-ML-1 TML-X ⧈-G-⧈ 8Side A, variant 2
MCA-2643-ML2 TML-M 1 ⧈-G-⧈Side B, variant 2
MCA-2642-ML 4 TML S ◈-P-◈ I IRunout side A, variant 1
MCA-2643-ML 5 TML-M ◈-P-◈ I̶I̶I̶I̶I̶Runout side B, variant 1
MCA·2642-ML3 TML-S ◈-P-◈ IRunout side A, variant 2
MCA -2643-ML4 TML-S ◈-P-◈ IIIIRunout side B, variant 2
EMC 3386 A-4Stamped Side 1
EMC 3386 A-4Stamped Side 2
NICKZ PENTHOUSE MASTERINGEtched Side 1
NICKZ PENTHOUSE MASTERINGEtched Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Argentina | EMI 8005First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Argentina | EMI 8005First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Australia | Interfusion RML 53003 / Interfusion MCA 5229First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Barbados | EMI EMC-338First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Bolivia | EMI International BOLP - 478 / EMI International BOLP-478First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Brazil | EMI 31C 064 64560First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5229 / MCA Records MCA - 5229First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Chile | EMI 5269 / EMI 32C 064 64560First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Colombia | CBS 11867First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | EMI 1C 064-64 560 / EMI Electrola 1C 064-64 560First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | France | EMI 2C 070 64560First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | France | EMI 2C 070 64560First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1981 | France | EMI 2C 070-64560First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Greece | EMI 14C 064-64560First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | India | EMI EMC 3386First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | US | Not On Label ONJ9045LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Limited |
| 2022 | US | Primary Wave Music ONJ9022 / Primary Wave Music 2755902233LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited |
| 2022 | US | Primary Wave Music 2755902431LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2022 | USA & Canada | Primary Wave Music 2755902332LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2022 | US | Primary Wave Music 2755902530 / Primary Wave Music ONJ9025LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited |
| 2022 | US | Primary Wave Music 2755904534LP, Album, Record Store Day, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | EMILP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| ? | Taiwan | Bell Song Record CKL-7076LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
59 vinyl pressings of Physical are listed here, from 37 countries, released between 1981 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Australia, UK, US, Europe and more. One of them is Interfusion RML 53003.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RML 53003, EMC 3386, MCA-5229, 1C 064-64 560) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 20 SMX . 57663 W2A 3 and 58 SMX . 57664 W2A. 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.
