Vinyl pressings
by Rita Coolidge · 1981
Heartbreak Radio was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 10 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.
SP-03727-A-INT. - Ⓘ TML A [trumpet stamp]Runout A, etched, stamped
SP-03727-'B' - INT. [trumpet stamp] TML S DRunout B, etched, stamped
AMLK 63727-1Label A
AMLK 63727-2Label B
AMLK 63727 A1 B SP-3727-A-INT. [Trumpet] TML-S
AMLK 63727 B1 A [Trumpet] SP-3727-B-INT. TML-S
T I A&M-SP-03727-A-T3 TML-MRunout side A etched, stamped. Variant 1.
T I A&M-SP-03727-B-T4 TML-SRunout side B etched, stamped.Variant 1.
TI A&M-SP-03727-A-T3 TML-MRunout side A etched, TML-M stamped. Variant 2.
TI A&M SP-03727-B-T5 TML-M 2 nRunout side B etched, TML-M stamped. Variant 2.
SP-03727-A TML-S PRunout side A etched, stamped
SP-03727-B TML-MRunout side B etched, stamped
SP-03727-ALabel side A
SP-03727-BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | A&M Records L-37623First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | A&M Records SP 3727First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | A&M Records AMLK 63727First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Greece | A&M Records AMLK 63727First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Portugal | A&M Records 2PSP-3727First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | South Africa | A&M Records AMLS 63727First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | A&M Records AMLK 63727First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | A&M Records AMLK 63727First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | A&M Records AMLS 63727First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | A&M Records SP-3727First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | A&M Records SP-3727First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | A&M Records SP-3727First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-28039First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-28039First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
14 vinyl pressings of Heartbreak Radio are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Europe, UK, US, Japan and more. One of them is A&M Records AMLK 63727.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMLK 63727, AMLS 63727, SP-3727, AMP-28039) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SP-03727-A-INT. - Ⓘ TML A [trumpet stamp] and SP-03727-'B' - INT. [trumpet stamp] TML S D. 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.
