Vinyl pressings
by Sheena Easton · 1981
You Could Have Been With Me was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 10 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 5252 A-2U 1/2 SPEED STRAWBERRY XXX ⊂⊃ CSide A runout (stamped) variant 1
STRAWBERRY EMI 5252 B-2U 34Side B runout (stamped) variant 1
EMI 5252 A-1U 1/2 SPEED STRAWBERRY 33 1Side A runout (stamped) variant 2
EMI 5252 B-1U 34 1 STRAWBERRYSide B runout (stamped) variant 2
A-8101-S45-500729-2 G5 —◁ D Cole [MASTERED BY CAPITOL]Side A Runout, etched [stamped], variant 1
A-8101-S45-500732-2 G5 #2 —◁ D Cole [MASTERED BY CAPITOL]Side B Runout, etched [stamped], variant 1
A-8101-S45-500729-2 G5 #2 —◁ D Cole [MASTERED BY CAPITOL]Side A Runout, etched [stamped], variant 2
A-8101-S45-500732-2 G5 —◁ D Cole [MASTERED BY CAPITOL]Side B Runout, etched [stamped], variant 2
A-8101 S45-500729-2 G2 • ✲ DCole [MASTERED BY CAPITOL]Side A runout
A-8101-S45-500732-2 G2 • ✲ DCole [MASTERED BY CAPITOL]Side B runout
X500729Side A label
X500732Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Barbados | EMI America 8101First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Canada | EMI America A-8101First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Ireland | EMI EMI 5252First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Italy | EMI 3C 006-07602First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | Italy | EMI 3C 006-07602First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | Mexico | EMI 8618First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Netherlands | EMI 1A 006-07583First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | EMI EMI 5252First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Portugal | EMI 11C 008-07583First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | EMI EMI 5252First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | US | EMI America P-A-8101First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | EMI America A-8101First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | US | EMI America A-8101First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | US | EMI America A-8101First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | EMI America A-8101First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of You Could Have Been With Me are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Barbados, Canada and more. One of them is EMI EMI 5252.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMI 5252, A-8101, P-A-8101, 8101) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMI 5252 A-2U 1/2 SPEED STRAWBERRY XXX ⊂⊃ C and STRAWBERRY EMI 5252 B-2U 34. 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.
