Vinyl pressings
by Phil Collins · 1985
Separate Lives 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.
50 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 20 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.
VS 81812 A-1U-1-1-x1 DSide A runout variant 1
VS 81812 B -1U-1-1-x1 DSide B runout variant 1
VS 81812 A-1U-1-2- DSide A runout variant 2
VS 81812 B-2U-1-1-1 DSide B runout variant 2
VS 818 A-1U-1- 1-x1 DStamped runout, side A, variant 1
VS 818 B-1U-1-1-3 DStamped runout, side B, variant 1
VS 818 A-2U-1- 2 DStamped runout, side A, variant 2
Barry WoodwardEtched runout, side A, variant 2
VSSD+818+A SRTSide A runout
VSSD+818+B SRTSide AA runout
Variation 1 : VS 818 A-1U-1-3-17 DStamped runout, side A
Variation 1 : VS 818 A-1U-1-3-3 DStamped runout, side B
Variation 2 : VS 818 A-3U-1-1- 3 - DStamped runout, side A
Variation 2 : VS 818 B-2U-3 11 -DStamped runout, side B
VS 81812 A-2U-1-5-3 D Barry WatsonSide A runout, stamped. "Barry Watson" etched, variant 1
VS 81812 B-1U-1-2-10 DSide B runout, stamped, variant 1
VS 81812 A-1 U-1-4-5 DSide A, runout, variant 2
VS 81812 B-2 U-1-1- DSide B, runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | Atlantic 7-89498First year7" | 7" |
| 1985 | Australia | Atlantic 7-89498First year7" | 7" |
| 1985 | Brazil | Atlantic 10.186 / Atlantic 601.7053First year7" | 7" |
| 1985 | Canada | Atlantic 7 89498-7First year7" | 7" |
| 1985 | Canada | Atlantic 78 94987First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Atlantic 78 94987First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Canada | Atlantic 78 94987First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Canada | Atlantic 78 94987First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Europe | Atlantic 789 498-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Atlantic 789 498-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Atlantic 789 498-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | France | Atlantic 789 498-7 / Atlantic 78 9498-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Guatemala | Atlantic 7-89498First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Honduras | Atlantic 7-89498First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Ireland | Virgin VS 818First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Atlantic 7-849657", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
53 vinyl pressings of Separate Lives are listed here, from 20 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Europe, Japan and more. One of them is Virgin VS 818-12.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS 818-12, VS 818, VSSD 818, VSS 818) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS 81812 A-1U-1-1-x1 D and VS 81812 B -1U-1-1-x1 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.
