Vinyl pressings
by Peter Brown · 1984
They Only Come Out At Night was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1984, 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-171582-AD P HERBIE JR (^:Variant 1 - Run-out Grooves A-side [etched]
XSS-171583-AE P HERBIE JR (^:Variant 1 - Run-out Grooves B-side [etched]
XSS-171582-AD P HERBIE JR (^:Variant 2 - Run-out Grooves A-side [etched]
XSS-171583-AD P HERBIE JR (^:Variant 2 - Run-out Grooves B-side [etched]
0 G2 XSS-171582-AC HERBIE JR (^: A2Run-out Grooves A-side [etched]
C G1 XSS-171583-AC HERBIE JR (^: C3Run-out Grooves B-side [etched]
MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORKRun-out Grooves Both Sides [machine-stamp]
XSS 171582Label A-side
TA 4334-A1 I O VSide A runout groove, etched
TA 4334-B1 VSide B runout groove, etched
TA 4334 ASide A label
TA 4334 BSide B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Bolivia | Discos CBS SEP 10424First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Brazil | Discos CBS 43.572First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Columbia 12CXP 04957First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1984 | Canada | Columbia 38 04381First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1984 | Canada | Columbia 12CXP 04957First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1984 | Costa Rica | CBS 7012842First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Ecuador | Columbia 133-0093First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Europe | CBS CBSA 12.4334 / CBS A 12.4334First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Europe | CBS CBSA 4334 / CBS A 4334First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | CBS CBSA 4334 / CBS A 4334First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Greece | CBS CBSA 12.4334First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | South Africa | CBS XSSC 5604First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Spain | CBS CBS A 4334First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Spain | CBS A - 12.4334 / CBS CBS A 12.4334First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | CBS TA 4334First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
24 vinyl pressings of They Only Come Out At Night are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, Japan, Bolivia and more. One of them is Columbia 44-04957.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 44-04957, 38-04981, 38-04381, TA 4334) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XSS-171582-AD P HERBIE JR (^: and XSS-171583-AE P HERBIE JR (^:. 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.
