Vinyl pressings
by Oran 'Juice' Jones · 1986
The Rain / Your Song was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1986, 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.
XSS-175274-1ASide A Runout Groove - Variant 1
XSS-175276-1ASide B Runout Groove - Variant 1
P (AP) XSS-175274-1A MASTERDISKSide A Runout etched; stamped - Variant 2
P (AP) XSS-175274-113Side A Runout etched - Variant 2
P (mp) ZSS-175271 - 1A MASTERDISK ARunout A
P (np) ZSS-175273 - 1B MASTERDISKRunout B
ZSS 175271Side A label
ZSS 175273Side B label
ZSS-175271-1AA G1 A2A runout
ZSS-175273-1AA G1 A2B runout
ZSS 175271A label
ZSS 175273B label
ZSS·1752712̷ -1C MASTERDISK G1 D4Runout A
ZSS·175273 -1C MASTERDISK G1 B 10Runout B
ZSS 175271Side A label
ZSS 175273Side B label
XSS-175397-1B MASTERDISK 0 P (AP) 0Side A runout
XSS-175398-1A 0 P (AP)Side B runout
XSS 175274A-side label
XSS 175275B-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Canada | Def Jam Recordings 12CXP 05930 / Columbia 12CXP 05930First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1986 | Canada | Def Jam Recordings 38 06209 / Columbia 38 06209First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Ecuador | Ifesa 133-0135First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Def Jam Recordings DEFA 12.7303 / CBS A 12.7303First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Def Jam Recordings DEFA 7303 / Def Jam Recordings A 7303First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Greece | CBS DEFA 12-7303First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Ireland | Def Jam Recordings DEF A 7303First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Jamaica | Columbia 38-06209First year7" | 7" |
| 1986 | New Zealand | CBS BA 3513 / Def Jam Recordings BA 3513First year7" | 7" |
| 1986 | Philippines | CBS CE-EP-18073 / Def Jam Recordings 44-05930First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Portugal | Def Jam Recordings DEF A 7303First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1986 | UK | Def Jam Recordings TA7303 / Def Jam Recordings TA 7303First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | Def Jam Recordings A 7303 / CBS A 7303First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | Def Jam Recordings TA 7303First year12", 45 RPM, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1986 | UK | Def Jam Recordings TA 7303First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Europe | Def Jam Recordings 984680912", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
34 vinyl pressings of The Rain / Your Song are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1986 and 2007.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Japan, Canada and more. One of them is Def Jam Recordings 44-05930.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 44-05930, 38-06209, 13-68736, CAS 2496) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XSS-175274-1A and XSS-175276-1A. 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.
