Vinyl pressings
by S'Express · 1989
Hey Music Lover was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
36 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 12 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.
LEFT 30T A1X PR-P MUSIC IS MY LIFE - SUPERSLY GUY PR-PRunouts, Etchings Side A, Variant 1
LEFT 30T B2X PR-P CUTMASTER PEACHY UTOPIA.Runouts, Etchings Side B, Variant 1
LEFT 30T A1 PR-P MUSIC IS MY LIFE - SUPERSLY GUYRunouts, Etchings Side A, Variant 2
LEFT 30T B2 PR-P CUTMASTER PEACHY UTOPIA.Runouts, Etchings Side B, Variant 2
22411 O POUNDA UTOPIA LEFT 30 A1Runout, Variant 1, Side A
2241R N LEFT30 B1Runout, Variant 1, Side B
POUNDA UTOPIA. MPO LEFT 30 A1Runout, Variant 2, Side A – hand etched
MPO LEFT30 B1Runout, Variant 2, Side B – hand etched
POUNDA UTOPIA ̶M̶P̶O̶ LEFT 30 A1 2 LYN22411Runout, side A, hand etched
̶M̶P̶O̶ LEFT30 B1 2 LYN22412Runout, side B, hand etched
MPO LEFT 30 A1 POUNDA UTOPIA.Runout side A
MPO LEFT 30 B1Runout side B
LEFT R 30 A1 PR-ERunout Side A, etched, variant 1
LEFT (R) 30T B2 PR-ERunout Side B, etched, variant 1
LEFT R 30 A1 PR-E 3Runout Side A, etched, variant 2
LEFT(R) 30T B2 PR-E SRunout Side B, etched, variant 2
LEFTL 30T A1 PR-E DRunout, variant 1, side A
LEFTL 30T B1 PR-E FRunout, variant 1, side AA
PR-E Z LEFTL 30T B1Runout, variant 2, side AA - etched, "Z" sideways
LEFTL 30T A1 PR-E LRunout, variant 3, side A - 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Australia | Possum Records TDS 529 / Rhythm King TDS 529First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Australia | Possum Records 105011 / Rhythm King 105011First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Australia | Possum Records TDS 529 / Rhythm King TDS 529First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Europe | Rhythm King LEFT 30 / Rhythm King 45030First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | France | Rhythm King 80435 / Mute 80435First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | France | Rhythm King 90499 / Mute 90499First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | France | Rhythm King 80444 / Mute 80444First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | France | Rhythm King 80442 / Mute 80442First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Germany | Rhythm King LEFT 30T / Rhythm King M1-250First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Germany | Rough Trade S1-250 / Rhythm King LEFT 30First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Germany | Rhythm King LEFT R30T / Rough Trade M1-257First year12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1989 | Greece | Virgin VG 2134ZFirst year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Ireland | Rhythm King LEFT 30First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Ireland | Rhythm King LEFT 30TFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Italy | Rhythm King LEFTX 30 / Rhythm King LEFX 30First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Rhythm King LEFT 30T / Trans Global Records LEFT 30T12", 45 RPM, White Label, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, White Label, Stereo |
38 vinyl pressings of Hey Music Lover are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in UK, US, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is Rhythm King LEFT 30T, released February 6, 1989.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LEFT 30T, LEFT 30, LEFT R30T, LEFT L30T) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, LEFT 30T A1X PR-P MUSIC IS MY LIFE - SUPERSLY GUY PR-P and LEFT 30T B2X PR-P CUTMASTER PEACHY UTOPIA.. 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.
