Vinyl pressings
by Phil Carmen · 1985
On My Way In L.A. was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 6 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.
881 860 - 1 S 1 320Runout Side A
881 860 - 1 S 2 320Runout Side B
881 860-1 S 1Label Side A
881 860-1 S 2Label Side B
881 860-7 S1 320Runout side A, variant 1
881 860-7 S2 320Runout side B, variant 1
881 860-7 S 1 320 A 1Runout side A, variant 2
881 860-7 S 2 320 E 1Runout side B, variant 2 [Final 1 extremely faint, probably different sign]
160 881860 1 // 1 380 POLYGRAMRunout Side A
160 881860 1 // 2 380 POLYGRAMRunout Side B
881 860-1 1Label Side A
881 860-1 2Label Side B
MRCS 2051-A//57813-1Side A Runout
MRCS 2051-B//57814-1Side B Runout
160 881860 7 // 1 380 POLYGRAMRunout side A
160 881860 7 // 2 380 POLYGRAMRunout side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Denmark | Mega Records MRCS 2051First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Denmark | Mega Records MRCX 1251First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | France | Polydor 881 860-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Mercury 881 860-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Mercury 885 157-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | South Africa | Principal Record Company RSS 156First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Spain | Pdi 10.829 / PDI A-10.829First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Spain | PDI 20.829First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | Polydor 881 860-1 / Metronome 881 860-1First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Germany | Metronome 881 860-1 / Metronome 881 860-1 MEFirst year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Germany | Metronome 881 860-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of On My Way In L.A. are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in Germany, France, Denmark, Netherlands and more. One of them is Metronome 881 860-1, released June 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 881 860-1, 881 860-7, MRCS 2051, MRCX 1251) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 881 860 - 1 S 1 320 and 881 860 - 1 S 2 320. 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.
