Vinyl pressings
by Rocky Burnette · 1979
Baby Tonight was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 3 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.
S45-500286-Z F5 #5 MASTERED BY CAPITOL —◁A-Side Runout Etching
S45-500345-Z F5 #7 MASTERED BY CAPITOL —◁B-Side Runout Etching
SX500286A-Side Label
SX500345B-Side Label
SX500286A-Side Label
SX500345B-Side Label
I-8050 S45-500286-Z F4 #1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0A-Side Runout Etching
2-8050 S45-500345-Z F3 #3 MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0B-Side Runout Etching
SX500286A-Side Label
SX500345B-Side Label
SPRO-9438Side A&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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Canada | EMI America 8050First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | South Africa | EMI EMIJ 4287First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | US | EMI America 8050First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | US | EMI America P-8050First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | EMI America 8050First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1979 | US | EMI America 8050First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Mexico | EMI 8416 / EMI 33C 006-637937", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | New Zealand | EMI EMI 50377", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Spain | EMI 10C 006-0642737", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Sweden | EMI 7C 006-637937", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | UK | EMI EMI 50377", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | UK | EMI EMI 50377", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | UK | EMI EMI 50377", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
13 vinyl pressings of Baby Tonight are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, Canada, South Africa. One of them is EMI America 8050.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 8050, P-8050, EMIJ 4287) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S45-500286-Z F5 #5 MASTERED BY CAPITOL —◁ and S45-500345-Z F5 #7 MASTERED BY CAPITOL —◁. 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.
