Vinyl pressings
by Paul McCartney · 1982
Tug Of War was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1982, 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 6057 A-2U-1-1-QSide A runout, stamped - variant 1
R 6057 B-1U-1-1-QSide B runout, stamped - variant 1
R 6057 A-3U-1-1-5Side A runout, stamped - variant 2
R 6057 B-3U-1-1-1Side B runout, stamped - variant 2
ZSS-170368-1B JG♡ PRunout A
ZSS-170369-1A JG PRunout B
ZSS 170368A Side
ZSS 170369B Side
ZSS 170368A Side
ZSS 170369B Side
ZSS-170368-1B
ZSS-170369-1A
T ZSS-170368-1C T I I IRunout side A, etched (T I I I is inverted), variant 1
T ZSS-170369-1D SG♡Runout side B, etched, variant 1
T ZSS-170368-1CRunout side A, etched, variant 2
T ZSS-170369-1C SG♡Runout side B, etched, variant 2
ZSS-170368-1D T1 JG♡ TRunout A
ZSS-170368-1C T111 TRunout B
ZSS 170368Label A
ZSS 170368Label B
ZSS-170368-1A JG♡ PRunout - Both Sides
ZSS 170368Labels - Both Sides
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | Parlophone A-813 / MPL A-813First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Australia | Parlophone A-813 / MPL A-813First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Bolivia | EMI International BO - 1408First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Canada | Columbia 38 03235 / MPL 38 03235First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | France | EMI 2C 008-64935 / EMI 2C 008-64.935First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | Odeon 1C 006-64 935 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-64 935First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Ireland | Parlophone R 6057 / MPL R 6057First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Japan | Odeon EPS-17294 / MPL EPS-17294First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Japan | Odeon EPS-17294 / MPL EPS-17294First year7" | 7" |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Parlophone 1A 006-64935 / MPL 1A 006-64935First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Philippines | Parlophone PAL-61172First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Spain | Odeon 10C 006-064935 / MPL 10C 006-064935First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Spain | Odeon 10C 006-064935 / MPL 10C 006-064935First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | US | Columbia 38-03235 / MPL 38-03235First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | US | Columbia 38-03235 / MPL 38-03235First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
19 vinyl pressings of Tug Of War are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, US, Australia, Bolivia and more. One of them is Parlophone R 6057, released September 6, 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use R 6057, 38-03235, A-813, BO - 1408) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R 6057 A-2U-1-1-Q and R 6057 B-1U-1-1-Q. 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.
