Vinyl pressings
by R.E.M. · 1984
(Don't Go Back To) Rockville 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.
18 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 4 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.
A1 IR-09931-A RCA 2..Side A runout variant 1
A1 IR 9931-B RCA 1.Side B runout variant 1
IR-09931-A RCA 2·· [trumpet logo] I A1Side A runout variant 2
IR-09931-B RCA 1· [trumpet logo] I A1Side B runout variant 2
IR 09931-A C2·· [Trumpet symbol] G1Runout side A
IR 09931-B C2·· [Trumpet symbol] G1Runout side B
IR-09931-ALabel side A
IR-09931-BLabel side B
IR 09931-A C2·· [Trumpet symbol] G1Runout side A
IR 09931-B C2·· [Trumpet symbol] G1Runout side B
IR-09931-ALabel side A
IR-09931-BLabel side B
Emw IR-09931-A ES1. ℗ [trumpet]Side A runout
Emw IR-09931-A ES1. ℗ [trumpet]Side AA runout
IR-09931-ASide A label
IR-09931-ASide AA label
A&M-SP-07̶0̶9̶7̶9̶B̶ SP-70982-A RE-1 ES1" ƐMWSide A runout, etched
ƐMW SP0-IR-070982-B ES1. ℗ [TRUMPET]Side B runout, etched
SP-070982-ASide A label
SP-070982-BSide B label
IRSX·107·A1 POUNDA TA1PE ⋀Side A, runout, etched / stamped
IRSX·107·B1 ⋀Side B, runout, etched / stamped
IRSX 107-ASide A, label
IRSX 107-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 | Europe | I.R.S. Records ILSA 12.4734First yearMaxi-Single, 12" | Maxi-Single, 12" |
| 1984 | Europe | I.R.S. Records ILSA 4734 / I.R.S. Records A-4734First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | I.R.S. Records A 12.4734 / I.R.S. Records ILSA 12.4734First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | I.R.S. Records A 12.4734 / I.R.S. Records ILSA 12.4734First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Europe | I.R.S. Records ILSA 4734 / I.R.S. Records A-4734First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Spain | Illegal Records ILS A 4734First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Spain | I.R.S. Records ILS-A-12-4734 / Illegal Records ILS A 12.4734First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Spain | Illegal Records ILS A 4734First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Spain | I.R.S. Records ILS-A-12-4734 / Illegal Records ILS A 12.4734First year12", Maxi-Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", Maxi-Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRS 107(DJ)First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRS 107First year7", Single, White Label | 7", Single, White Label |
| 1984 | US | I.R.S. Records IR 9931First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | I.R.S. Records SP 70982 / I.R.S. Records SP-70982First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | I.R.S. Records IR 9931 / I.R.S. Records IR-9931First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRSX 107First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
18 vinyl pressings of (Don't Go Back To) Rockville are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, Europe, Spain. One of them is I.R.S. Records IR 9931, released October 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use IR 9931, IR-9931, SP 70982, IRSX 107) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A1 IR-09931-A RCA 2.. and A1 IR 9931-B RCA 1.. 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.
