Vinyl pressings
by Siouxsie & The Banshees · 1984
Swimming Horses 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.
10 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 5 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.
SHEX 6 ▽A▽ 3 420 H 11 3 SENTINELLESRunout side A, variant 1
SHEX 6 B▽ 2 420 U 11 2 ƱTOPIA.Runout side B, variant 1
SHEX 6 ▽A▽ 3 420 H 11 4 SENTINELLESRunout side A, variant 2
SHEX 6 B▽1 420 U 11 1 ƱTOPIA.Runout side B, variant 2
SHE 6 A 3 ▽ 420 H SENTINELLESSide A runout, variant 1
SHE 6 B 1 ▽ 420 U UTOPIASide B runout, variant 1
SHE 6 A 3 ▽ 420 H SENTINELLESSide A runout, variant 2
SHE 6 B 2 ▽ 420 U UTOPIASide B runout, variant 2
Both A & B sidesALL RIGHTS OF THE PRODUCER AND OF THE OWNER OF THE WORK REPRODUCED RESERVED UNAUTHORISED COPYING HIRING LENDING PUBLIC PERFORMANCE AND BROADCASTING OF THIS RECORD PROHIBITED
SHE 6 A 3 ▽ 420 H 1 1 1 4 SENTINELLES ◜=Runout side A, stamped, etched
SHE 6 B ▽ 2 420 U 1 1 2 1 ƱTOPIA.Runout side B, stamped, etched
SHE X 6 A ▽ 4 420 H 1 1Stamped A side
SHE X 6 B ▽ 2 420 UStamped B side
SENTINELLESHand etched A side
UTOPIAHand etched B side
109 8 211 521 A POLYGRAMStamped A side
109 8 211 521 B POLYGRAMStamped B side
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 | France | Polydor 821 152-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Ireland | Wonderland SHE 6 / Wonderland 821152-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Polydor 821 152-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Spain | Polydor 821 765-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Polydor SHE X6First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | UK | Wonderland SHE 6 / Polydor SHE 6First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | France | Polydor 821 152-1 / Wonderland 821 152-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | UK | Wonderland SHEX 6 / Polydor SHEX 6First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Wonderland SHE 6 / Polydor SHE 6First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Wonderland SHE 6 / Polydor SHE 6First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
10 vinyl pressings of Swimming Horses are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, France, Ireland, New Zealand and more. One of them is Wonderland SHEX 6, released March 16, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SHEX 6, SHE 6, SHE X6, 821 152-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SHEX 6 ▽A▽ 3 420 H 11 3 SENTINELLES and SHEX 6 B▽ 2 420 U 11 2 ƱTOPIA.. 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.
