Vinyl pressings
by R.E.M. · 1984
S. Central Rain (I'm Sorry) 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.
16 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 6 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.
S̶P̶O̶ A&MIR-09927-A-M1 MR △ 109680 STERLING ⚾Runout A etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamp)
A&M IR-09927-B -M1 STERLING ⚾ MR △ 109680 XRunout B etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamp)
IR-09927-ASide A label
IR-09927-BSide B label
A&M IR 09927-A-RCA 1 I Λ1 STERLINGRunout A etched ( I Λ1 sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamp)
A&M IR 0 9927-B-RCA 1 I Λ 2 STERLINGRunout B etched (I Λ 2 sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamps)
IR-09927-ALabel A
IR-09927-BLabel B
P A&MIR-09927-A·P1Side A Dead Wax Etched (variant 1)
P A&MIR-09927-B·P2Side B Dead Wax Etched (variant 1)
A&MIR-09927-A·C1Side A Dead Wax Etched (variant 2)
A&MIR-09927-B-C2Side B Dead Wax Etched (variant 2)
A&MIR-09927-A·C1Side A Dead Wax Etched (variant 2)
A&MIR-09927-B-C2Side B Dead Wax Etched (variant 2)
STERLINGSide B Dead Wax Stamped
IR-09927-ASide A Label
STERLINGSide B Dead Wax Stamped
IR-09927-ASide A Label
IR-09927-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 | Australia | Illegal Records ES 971First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | I.R.S. Records ES 971First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | I.R.S. Records IR-9927First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Europe | I.R.S. Records ILSA 4255 / I.R.S. Records A-4255First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Europe | I.R.S. Records A 12.4255 / I.R.S. Records ILSA 12.4255First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Philippines | Epic ES-20073First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRS 105First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | I.R.S. Records IR-9927First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | I.R.S. Records IR-9927 / I.R.S. Records IR9927First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene · Colored vinyl |
| 1984 | US | I.R.S. Records IR-9927 / I.R.S. Records IR9927First year7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1984 | US | I.R.S. Records IR-9927 / I.R.S. Records IR9927First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1984 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRS 105First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRSX 105First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | US | I.R.S. Records IR-9927 / I.R.S. Records IR9927First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | I.R.S. Records IR-9927 / I.R.S. Records IR9927First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
16 vinyl pressings of S. Central Rain (I'm Sorry) are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is I.R.S. Records IR-9927, released May 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use IR-9927, IRS 105, IRSX 105, ES 971) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S̶P̶O̶ A&MIR-09927-A-M1 MR △ 109680 STERLING ⚾ and A&M IR-09927-B -M1 STERLING ⚾ MR △ 109680 X. 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.
