Vinyl pressings
by Serge Gainsbourg · 1984
Love On The Beat was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 4 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.
001 6863240 1 380 POLYGRAM 8805381 A3Runout, Side A (Stamped
001 880538 1 // 2 380 POLYGRAM DA A2Runout, Side B (Stamped
880 538-1 1Printed Label A
880 538-2 1Printed Label B
001 6837851 1 380 POLYGRAM ARunout, side A
A B 001 6837851 1 380 POLYGRAMRunout, side B
6837 851 1Label A
6837 851 2Label B
001 6863240 1 380 POLYGRAM A2Runout, Side A (Stamped
001 6863240 2 380 POLYGRAM A2Runout, Side B (Stamped
6863 240 1Label Side A
6863 240 2Label Side B
PH-108 A SNB 230 EL DM 93A-side etched runout
PH-108 B SNB 230 EL DM 92B-side etched runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Canada | Philips PH 108First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | France | Philips 6837 851First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | France | Philips 6863 240First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | France | Philips 880 538-1First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Germany | Mercury 880 538-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Germany | Mercury 880 538-7 QFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | US | Mercury PRO 425-1First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Argentina | Philips 00 000927", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Japan | Philips 7PP-1627", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | Japan | Philips 7PP-1627", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Europe | Mercury 1025712", Promo · Promo, Colored vinyl | 12", Promo · Promo, Colored vinyl |
11 vinyl pressings of Love On The Beat are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1984 and 2004.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in France, US, Canada, Germany. One of them is Philips 880 538-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 880 538-1, 6837 851, 6863 240, PRO 425-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 001 6863240 1 380 POLYGRAM 8805381 A3 and 001 880538 1 // 2 380 POLYGRAM DA A2. 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.
