Vinyl pressings
by Peech Boys · 1982
Life Is Something Special 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.
6 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 2 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.
ST-DM-43943-43944-5- , 1-1Run-out A-side, etched
MASTERDISK SRCRun-out A-side, ∽ with an R & C within each loop, stamped
ST-DM-43945-43946-1 1-1Run-out B-side, etched
SRCRun-out B-side, ∽ with an R & C within each loop, stamped
ST-IL 44042-2
ST-IL 43962-6
ST-DM-43943-43944-7 B-17554-7 SLM △3277 I-ISide A Etched
MASTERDISK [Logo Allied Record Company]Side A Stamped
ST-DM-43945-43946-3 B-17580-3 SLM △3318 I-ISide B Etched
MASTERDISK [Logo Allied Record Company]Side B Stamped
ST-DM-43947-43948-6 1-1 [SRC logo]Runout, Side A
ST-DM-43949-43950-1 1-1 [SRC logo]Runout, Side B
ST-DM-43947/48-SPPrinted on label, Side A
ST-DM-43949/50-SPPrinted on label, Side B
SRC 1-1 ST-IL-44042-2 MASTERDISKA-Side Runout Etching
SRC 1-1 ST-IL-43962-1̶-5 MASTERDISKB-Side Runout Etching
ST-IL-44042-SPA-Side Label
ST-IL-43962-SPB-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | France | Phonogram 811 375-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | US | Island Records 0-99928 / Garage Records 0-99928First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1982 | US | Island Records DMD 393 / Garage Records DMD 393First year12", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1982 | US | Island Records 7-99926 / Garage Records 7-99926First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1982 | US | Island Records 7-999267", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1982 | US | Island Records 7-99926 / Garage Records 7-99926First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1982 | US | Island Records DMD 393 / Garage Records DMD 39312", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1982 | US | Island Records 0-99928 / Garage Records 0-9992812", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1982 | US | Island Records 0-99928 / Garage Records 0-99928First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1983 | Australia | Festival Records X-13132 / Island Records 12WIP 684612", Limited Edition, 45 RPM · Limited | 12", Limited Edition, 45 RPM · Limited |
| 1983 | Europe | Island Records 600.757 / Island Records 600 75712", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Island Records 105.1607" | 7" |
| 1983 | Italy | Island Records WIPX 880 / Garage Records WIPX 88012", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Italy | Island Records WIP 26846 / Garage Records WIP 268467", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Jamaica | Island Records WIP 68467", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | US | Island Records DMD 39312", 45 RPM, Promo, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial, Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial, Promo |
22 vinyl pressings of Life Is Something Special are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1982 and 2004.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, France. One of them is Island Records 0-99928.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 0-99928, 7-99926, DMD 393, 811 375-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-DM-43943-43944-5- , 1-1 and MASTERDISK SRC. 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.
