Vinyl pressings
by Racey · 1980
Runaround Sue was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. 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 1980, the album's first year, in 11 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.
64193-A1 2Runout side A, variant 1
64193-B1 1Runout side B, variant 1
64193-A1 31 2Runout side A, variant 2
64193-B1 41 2Runout side B, variant 2
RAK 325 A-1U 23 1 [Utopia lyre symbol]Runout stamped/etched side A
RAK 325B-2 18 1Runout stamped side B
RAK 325ASide A label
RAK 325BSide B label
RAK 392A-2 ORSide A handwritten etchings
RAK 392 B ORSide B handwritten etchings
RAK-392 ASide A label
RAK-392 BSide A label
64193 - A1Runout side A, stamped, variant 1
64193 - B1Runout side B, stamped, variant 1
64193 - A1 1Runout side A, stamped/etched, variant 2
64193 - B1 1Runout side B, stamped/etched, variant 2
64193-A1YZRunout side A stamped/etched
64193-B1YZRunout side B stamped/etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | RAK RAK-392First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Bolivia | EMI International BO - 1308First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Germany | RAK 1C 008-64 193 / EMI Electrola 1C 008-64 193First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | RAK 1C 052-64 193 YZ / EMI Electrola 1C 052-64 193 YZFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Ireland | RAK RAK 325First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | New Zealand | RAK RAK 325First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Portugal | RAK 11C 008 - 64193 HFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Scandinavia | RAK 6C 006-64193 / RAK 006-64193First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | South Africa | RAK RAKJ 1086First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Spain | RAK 10C 006-064193First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | UK | RAK RAK 325First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Netherlands | RAK 1A 006-64193First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | RAK ERS-171047", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Japan | RAK ERS-171047", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Poland | Tonpress R-1166Flexi-disc, 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Mono · Mono | Flexi-disc, 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Mono · Mono |
15 vinyl pressings of Runaround Sue are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1980 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in Netherlands, UK, Australia, Bolivia and more. One of them is RAK 1A 006-64193, released November 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1A 006-64193, RAK 325, RAK-392, BO - 1308) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 64193-A1 2 and 64193-B1 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.
