Vinyl pressings
by R.E.M. · 1992
Drive was first pressed on vinyl in 1992. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1992, the album's first year, in 7 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.
W0 136 A-01-01- Q1Side A, Runout
W0 136 B-01-01- Q2Side B, Runout
W 0136ASide A, Label
W 0136BSide B, Label
W0 136 A-01-01-Q1Runout, side A
W0 136 B-01-01-Q 2Runout, side B
W 0136ALabel, side A
W 0136BLabel, side B
W0136-A1 W6081 0Runout, side 1, variant 1
W0136-B1Runout, side 2, variant 1
W0136-A1 W6081 ERunout, side 1, variant 2
W0136-B1 PRunout, side 2, variant 2
7-18729-A-SR1-DMM TD Precision SP1-1Side A runout, etched
7-18729-B-SR1-DMM TD Precision SP1-1Side B runout, etched
7-18729-ASide A label
7-18729-BSide B label
SRC PRO A1 5942-SRI 1-1 FUTURE DISC -T.B.Runout, side A
SRC PRO A2 5942-SRI 1-1Runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 5439-18708-7 / Warner Bros. Records WO 136First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1992 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 9362-40634-0 / Warner Bros. Records W 0136 TFirst year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1992 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 5439-18708-7 / Warner Bros. Records WO 136First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1992 | France | Warner Bros. Records 5439-18708-7 / Warner Bros. Records WO 136First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1992 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records 5439-18708-7 / Warner Bros. Records WO 136First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1992 | Mexico | Warner Bros. Records PRO 690First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1992 | UK | Warner Bros. Records W 0136 / Warner Bros. Records 5439 18708-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox |
| 1992 | UK | Warner Bros. Records W0136 TFirst year12" | 12" |
| 1992 | UK | Warner Bros. Records W 0136 / Warner Bros. Records 5439 18708 7First year7", Single, Jukebox | 7", Single, Jukebox |
| 1992 | UK | Warner Bros. Records W 0136 / Warner Bros. Records 5439-18708-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1992 | UK & Europe | Warner Bros. Records W0136 / Warner Bros. Records 5439-18708-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1992 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7-18729First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1992 | US | Warner Bros. Records PRO-A-5942First year12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
13 vinyl pressings of Drive are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1992, in UK, US, Europe, France and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records W 0136.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use W 0136, W0136 T, 7-18729, PRO-A-5942) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, W0 136 A-01-01- Q1 and W0 136 B-01-01- Q2. 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.
