Vinyl pressings
by R.E.M. · 1991
Radio Song was first pressed on vinyl in 1991. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1991, 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.
W-0072(T) A² PR-P ASide A runout, etched
W 0072(T) B2 PR-P CSide B runout, etched
W 0072 (T) A*Side A label
W 0072 (T) B*Side B label
W 0072-A-1 A LYN 29578Runout side A, etched, variant 1
W 0072-B-1 A LYN 29579Runout side B, etched, variant 1
W 0072-A-1 LYN 29578 ARunout side A, etched, variant 2
W 0072-B-1 LYN 29579 ARunout side B, etched, variant 2
W0072(T) A-1Side A Runout
W0072(T) B-1Side B Runout
W 0072 A-1U-1- 1Side A, stamped
W 0072 B-2U-1- 1Side B, stamped
W 0072 A*Label side A
W 0072 B*Label side B
0-40229-A-SR1 DMM Precision TD SP 1-1Runout etched side A
0-40229-B-SR1-DMM Precision TD SP 1-1Runout etched side B
7-19246-A-SR1-DMM 1-1 TD PrecisionSide A runout, etched
7-19246-A-SR1-DMM 1- Precision TDSide B runout, etched
7-19246-ASide A label
7-19246-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records W 0072 / Warner Bros. Records 5439-19246-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1991 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 9362-40229-0First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1991 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records W 0072 T / Warner Bros. Records W0072TFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1991 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records W 0072 / Warner Bros. Records 5439-19246-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1991 | Mexico | Warner Bros. Records PRO 600First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1991 | UK | Warner Bros. Records W0072T / Warner Bros. Records 9362-40250-0First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1991 | UK | Warner Bros. Records W0072 / Warner Bros. Records W 0072First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1991 | UK | Warner Bros. Records W0072T / Warner Bros. Records W 0072 (T)First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1991 | UK | Warner Bros. Records W0072 / Warner Bros. Records W 0072First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1991 | US | Warner Bros. Records 0-40229 / Warner Bros. Records 9 40229-0First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1991 | US | Warner Bros. Records PRO-A-5263First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1991 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7-19246First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
12 vinyl pressings of Radio Song are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1991, in UK, US, Europe, Mexico. One of them is Warner Bros. Records W0072T.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use W0072T, W0072, 0-40229, 7-19246) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, W-0072(T) A² PR-P A and W 0072(T) B2 PR-P C. 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.
