Vinyl pressings
by Sheena Easton · 1980
Modern Girl was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 13 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.
EMI 5042 A-1U STRAWBERRY 03 1Runout side A, variant 1
EMI 5042 B-1U 127 STRAWBERRY 3Runout side B, variant 1
EMI 5042 A-1U STRAWBERRY C C 1Runout side A, variant 2
EMI 5042 B-1U C 1 1 STRAWBERRY 3Runout side B, variant 2
EMI 5042 A-1U ∙STRAWBERRY 20 1Stamped runout, side A
EMI 5042 B-1U 40 STRAWBERRY 2Stamped runout, side B
8080 S-45-500516-P-4Variant 1) Side A runout
8080 S-45-500600-T-3Variant 1) Side B runout
8080 S-45-500516-P-4 RM 0Variant 2) A side runout - etched / 0 - stamped
8080 S-45-500600-P-4 0Variant 2) B side runout - etched / 0 stamped
8080-5-45-500516-P-2 * RMA Side
8080-5-45-500516-P-2Runout Ring Side 1 Etched
8080-5-45-500516-P-2 ✲ RMRunout Ring Side 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Argentina | EMI 5042 / 1779First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Argentina | EMI 5042 / 1779First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Australia | EMI EMI-477First year7" | 7" |
| 1980 | Australia | EMI EMI-253First year7" | 7" |
| 1980 | Brazil | EMI 31C 006 07400First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Canada | EMI America 8080First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Canada | EMI America 8080First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | EMI 1 C 006-07 400 / EMI Electrola 1 C 006-07 400First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Ireland | EMI EMI 5042First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Japan | EMI PRP-8170First yearMaxi-Single, Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM, 12" · Promo | Maxi-Single, Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM, 12" · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | EMI EMS-17100First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | EMI 1A 006-07 400First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | New Zealand | EMI EMI 5042First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Portugal | EMI 11C 006 07400 F / EMI 11C 006-07 400 FFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | South Africa | EMI EMIJ 4302First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | EMI EMI-4777", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
31 vinyl pressings of Modern Girl are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1980 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, Japan, Argentina and more. One of them is EMI EMI 5042, released February 22, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMI 5042, 8080, EMS-17020, 5042 / 1779) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMI 5042 A-1U STRAWBERRY 03 1 and EMI 5042 B-1U 127 STRAWBERRY 3. 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.
