Vinyl pressings
by Pet Shop Boys · 1987
Always On My Mind was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
37 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 13 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 6171 A-1-1-4-12 DSide A, on runout, stamped, variant 1
R 6171 B-1-1-2-12 DSide B, on runout, stamped, variant 1
R 6171 A-1-1-1-3 D D NICKZSide A, on runout, stamped/etched, variant 2
R 6171 B-2-1-1-2 D DSide B, on runout, stamped, variant 2
NICKZRunout side A, etched, all variations
D 12 R 6171 A-2-1-2-30Runout side A , stamped, variant 1
D 12 R 6171 B-1-1-2-27Runout side B, stamped, variant 1
D 12 R 6171 A-2-1-2-21Runout side A, stamped, variant 2
12 R 6171 A-2-1-2 :1Runout A, variant 1
12 R 6171 B-2-1-1- 4Runout B, variant 1
D 12 R 6171 A-2-1-2-1Runout A, variant 2
DD 12 R 6171 B-1-1-1-TCRunout B, variant 2
R 6171 A-2-1- D A NICKZ DAMONTRunout side A, variant 1
R 6171 B-1-1- D BRunout side B, variant 1
R 6171 A-1-1- D DAMONT NICKZRunout side A, variant 2
R 6171 B-1-1- DRunout side B, variant 2
12 R 6171 A-2-1-2- X1 NICKZ DRunout side A, variant 1
12 R 6171 B-2-1-1-T4 DDRunout side B, variant 1
12 R 6171 A-1-1-2 -3 NICKZ DRunout side A, variant 2
12 R 6171 B-2-1-1- T1 DDRunout side B, variant 2
12RX 6171 A-1-1-2-1Runout side A, variant 1
12RX 6171B-1-1-2-5Runout side B, variant 1
12RX 6171 A-1-1-1-7 DDRunout side A, variant 2
12RX 6171B-1-1-3-1 DRunout side B, variant 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Argentina | EMI 6178 / EMI 8068First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Argentina | EMI 6178 / EMI 12 R 6171First year12", Single, Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 12", Single, Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1987 | Australasia | Parlophone ED 326First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Australasia | Parlophone ED 326First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Europe | Parlophone 006 20 2274 7 / EMI 1C 006-20 2274 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | Parlophone K 060 20 2275 6 / Parlophone 1C K 060 - 20 2275 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Europe | Parlophone 1C 006-20 2274 7 / EMI 006 202274 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1987 | Greece | Parlophone 052-2022756 / Parlophone 052 202275-6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Ireland | Parlophone R 6171First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Italy | Parlophone 14 2022756First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1987 | Mexico | EMI POP-885First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Philippines | Parlophone EP-PAL-84X020First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1987 | Philippines | Parlophone PAL-61209First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Philippines | Parlophone EP-PAL-84X020First year12" | 12" |
| 1987 | Portugal | EMI 2022756First year12" | 12" |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Portugal | Parlophone 20227477", Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", Test Pressing · Test pressing |
60 vinyl pressings of Always On My Mind are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1987 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, Europe, Italy, Portugal and more. One of them is Parlophone R 6171, released November 30, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use R 6171, 12R 6171, 12RS 6171, 12RX 6171) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R 6171 A-1-1-4-12 D and R 6171 B-1-1-2-12 D. 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.
