Vinyl pressings
by Philip Bailey · 1984
Easy Lover 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.
44 pressings came out in 1984, 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.
XSS 169897 1A TML-X P (2)Variant 1 Runout A
XSS 169898 1B TML-M P (A)Variant 1 Runout B
XSS 169897 1C TML-S P A1Variant 2 Runout A
XSS 169898 1A TML-X P (A)Variant 2 Runout B
TML-S ZSS 169861 1E G 2Runout A etched (ᴛᴍʟ-s stamp)
TML-M ZSS 169862 -1E G1Runout B etched (ᴛᴍʟ-ᴍ stamp)
ZSS 169861Label A
ZSS 169862Label B
ZSS 169861 1EA-Side Runout Etching (Variant 1)
ZSS 169862-1EB-Side Runout Etching (Variant 1)
P ZSS 169861 1G TML-MA-Side Runout Etching (Variant 2)
P ZSS 169862 1H TML-MB-Side Runout Etching (Variant 2)
ZSS 169861 1D G1 [TML-M]A-Side Runout Etched, except [stamped], variant 1
ZSS 169862-1E G1 [TML-M]B-Side Runout Etched, except [stamped], variant 1
ZSS 169861 1E G2 [TML-M]A-Side Runout Etched, except [stamped], variant 2
ZSS 169862-1E G1 [TML-M]B-Side Runout Etched, except [stamped], variant 2
P (A) XSS169864 1A
P (A) XSS169864 1C
ZSS 169861A Side Runout
(Etched) ZSS 169861 1C TML-X (Stamped)B Side Runout
ZSS 169861A Side Label
(Etched) ZSS 169861 1B TML-S (Stamped)B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | CBS BA 223253First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Brazil | Discos CBS 43.596First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Columbia 38 04679First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Columbia 38 04679First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | CBS CBSA 4915 / CBS A-4915First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | CBS CBSA 12.4915 / CBS A 12.4915First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | CBS CBSA 12.4915 / CBS A 12.4915First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | CBS CBSA 4915 / CBS A 4915First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | CBS CBSA 12.4915 / CBS A 12.4915First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | CBS CBSA 4915 / CBS A 4915First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | CBS CBS A 4915 / CBS CBSA 4915First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | CBS CBS A 4915 / CBS A 4915First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Germany | CBS A 49157", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | Ireland | CBS A 4915 / Virgin A 4915First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Ireland | CBS TA 4915 / Virgin TA 4915First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | Columbia DEP 3877", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| ? | UK | CBS TA 4915 / Virgin TA 491512", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | Columbia 13-73797 / Collectables 13-737977", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | Collectables 13-737977", 45 RPM, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue, Stereo |
59 vinyl pressings of Easy Lover are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, Australia, Hong Kong and more. One of them is Columbia 44-05160, released November 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 44-05160, 38-04679, AS 1971, TA 4915) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XSS 169897 1A TML-X P (2) and XSS 169898 1B TML-M P (A). 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.
