Vinyl pressings
by Re-Flex · 1983
The Politics Of Dancing was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 13 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.
EMC 2400181 A-2U-1-1 ACTION SPEAKS [Utopia lyre symbol]TOPIASide A runout
EMC 2400181 B-1U-1-1 LOUDER THAN WORDS [Utopia lyre symbol]TOPIASide B runout
EMC 2400181 A-1U-1-1-5 "ACTION SPEAKS.... [Utopia lyre symbol]TOPIASide A runout
EMC 2400181 B-1U-1-1-1 ....LOUDER THAN WORDS" [Utopia lyre symbol]TOPIA
ST-1-12314 F-1 "ACTION SPEAKS" MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyA-Side Runout
ST-2-12314 F-1 "....LOUDER THAN WORDS" MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyB-Side Runout
ST-1-12314 F-5 "ACTION SPEAKS" 1211-A1 Au o-> MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyA-Side Runout
ST-2-12314 F-5 "LOUDER THAN WORDS" 1211-B1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally Au o->B-Side Runout
ST-1-12314 F-3 "L̸O̸U̸D̸E̸R̸ T̸H̸A̸N̸ W̸O̸R̸D̸S̸' "ACTION SPEAKS" MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally ––––◁A-Side Runout
ST-2-12314 F-4 "....LOUDER THAN WORDS" ––––◁ MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyB-Side Runout
ST-1-12314 F-2 #1 "ACTION SPEAKS" Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0Side A runout, variant 1
ST-2-12314 F-2 "....LOUDER THAN WORDS" WallySide B runout, variant 1
ST-1-12314 F-2 #1 "ACTION SPEAKS" Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0Side A runout, variant 2
ST-2-12314 F-1 #1 "....LOUDER THAN WORDS" Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0Side B runout, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Argentina | EMI EMC 2400181First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Australia | EMI EMC-240018First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | Australia & New Zealand | EMI EMC-240018 / EMI EMC.240018First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Brazil | EMI 31C 064 240018 / Capitol Records 31C 064 240018First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-12314First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-512314LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1983 | Europe | EMI 1C 064 2400181 / Capitol Records 1C 064 2400181First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | EMI 2400181 / Capitol Records 2400181LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1983 | Ireland | EMI EMC 2400181First yearLP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1983 | Italy | EMI 64 2400181First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Italy | EMI 54 2400181First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | New Zealand | EMI EMC 214First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Portugal | EMI 2400181First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | South Africa | EMI EMCJ(L) 2400181First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | UK | EMI EMC 2400181First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | EMI 2400181LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Capitol RecordsLP, Album | LP, Album |
34 vinyl pressings of The Politics Of Dancing are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1983 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Argentina, Australia & New Zealand and more. One of them is EMI EMC 2400181.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMC 2400181, ST-12314, EMC-240018, 31C 064 240018) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMC 2400181 A-2U-1-1 ACTION SPEAKS [Utopia lyre symbol]TOPIA and EMC 2400181 B-1U-1-1 LOUDER THAN WORDS [Utopia lyre symbol]TOPIA. 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.
