Vinyl pressings
by Simple Minds · 1987
Promised You A Miracle was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
25 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 11 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.
SM 2 A-2U-1-1-3 D D TOWNHOUSE DMMSide A runout, variant 1
SM 2 B-1U-1-2- 1 TOWNHOUSE DMM DSide B runout, variant 1
SM 2 A-1U-1-1-X1 TOWNHOUSE DMM D DSide A runout, variant 2
SM 2 B-2U-1-1-X1 TOWNHOUSE DMM D DSide B runout, variant 2
SM 212 A-2U-1-1-[: illegible] DD TOWNHOUSE DMMRunout Side A
SM 212 B-1U-1- [2 partially cancelled] D TOWN HOUSE D.M.M.Runout Side B
SM 212 A-1U-1-1- TOWNHOUSE DMM D DVariant 2: Side-A, stamped, 'TOWNHOUSE DMM' etched
SM 212 B-2U-1-1- TOWNHOUSE DMM DDVariant 2: Side-B, stamped, 'TOWNHOUSE DMM' etched
SM + 210 + A₂ ORLAKERunout Side A [hand-etched]
SM + 210 + B₂ ORLAKERunout Side B [hand-etched]
MPO SM 210 A₁Runout, Side A, Etched
MPO SM 210 B₁Runout, Side B, Etched
A&M-SP-012244-A-ESI SP12244 A Emw MASTERDISKRunout side A, etched/stamped
A&M-SP-012244-B-ESI SP12244 B Emw MASTERDISK TDRunout side B, etched/stamped/etched
A&M-AM-02954-B-C1/C2 G1 (Etched) MASTERDISK (Stamped)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Canada | Virgin VSX 1383First year12" | 12" |
| 1987 | Canada | Virgin Records Canada Inc. VS1383First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Europe | Virgin 109 155 / Virgin 109 155-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | Virgin 609 155-213 / Virgin 609 155First year12", Single, Stereo | 12", Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | France | Virgin 009446 / Virgin 009 446First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | France | Virgin 009 447First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | France | Virgin SA 1208First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1987 | Ireland | Virgin SM2First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1987 | Italy | Virgin VIN 45230First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Italy | Virgin VINX 183First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Portugal | Virgin 505480First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | South Africa | Virgin VS 709First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1987 | Spain | Virgin A-109 155First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Spain | Virgin F-609 155First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | US | A&M Records SP-17480First year12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
25 vinyl pressings of Promised You A Miracle are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, New Zealand, Portugal and more. One of them is Virgin SM2, released June 8, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SM2, SM2 12, SM2 10, SP-12244) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SM 2 A-2U-1-1-3 D D TOWNHOUSE DMM and SM 2 B-1U-1-2- 1 TOWNHOUSE DMM D. 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.
