Vinyl pressings
by Rush · 1977
Closer To The Heart was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 7 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.
RUSH 7 1F//2 IB 1 1 2 MELY + RUSSSide A runout, variant 1
RUSH 7 2F//2 IB 1 1 2Side B runout, variant 1
RUSH 7 1F//1 IB MELYS + RUSSSide A runout, variant 2
RUSH 7 2F//1 IBSide B runout, variant 2
RUSH 7 1F//1 IB 11 14 MELYS+RUSSRunout side A
RUSH 7 2F//2 IB 11 10Runout side B
RUSH-12-A-1 MELYS+RUSSide A runout, variant 1
RUSH-12-B-1 MELYSSide B runout, variant 1
RUSH-12-A-1 Z MELYS+RUS 1IIISide A runout, variant 2
RUSH-12-B-1 B MELYS 1IIISide B runout, variant 2
T 1-53830 A1 JAME CT TIIISide A runout
T 2 53832 B1 JAME CT TIIISide B runout
2-53830Side A label
2-53832Side B label
2-53830-A-6 [JAME] SSide A Runout, etched [stamped]
2-53832-B-6 [JAME] SSSide B Runout, etched [stamped]
2-53830Side A Label
2-53832Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | Mercury 6167 588First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1977 | Canada | Anthem ANS-004First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Ireland | Mercury RUSH 7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1977 | Japan | Mercury SFL-2233First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Japan | Mercury SFL-2233First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Mercury 6167 588First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1977 | UK | Mercury RUSH 7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | UK | Mercury RUSH 7First year7" · Colored vinyl | 7" · Colored vinyl |
| 1977 | UK | Mercury RUSH 7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | UK | Mercury RUSH 12First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1977 | US | Mercury 73958First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | US | Mercury 73958First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Mercury 73958First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Mercury RUSH 1212", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | US | Mercury B0027420-21 / Anthem B0027420-217", 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Single, Reissue |
15 vinyl pressings of Closer To The Heart are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1977 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Mercury RUSH 7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RUSH 7, RUSH 7, RUSH 12, 73958) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RUSH 7 1F//2 IB 1 1 2 MELY + RUSS and RUSH 7 2F//2 IB 1 1 2. 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.
