Vinyl pressings
by Smokey Robinson · 1981
Tell Me Tomorrow 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.
10 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
1601TFA 66493 PTI I5B F2 WS MASTERED BY CAPITOL ─◁Runout A, etched (MASTERED .... is stamped)
1601TFB 66493 PTII I5B F2 WS MASTERED BY CAPITOL ─◁Runout B, etched (MASTERED .... is stamped)
66493 - Part ICenter Label A
66493 - Part IICenter Label B
1601TFA 66493 PTI I5B F2 WS MASTERED BY CAPITOL ─◁Runout A
1601TFB 66493 PTII I5B F2 WS MASTERED BY CAPITOL ─◁Runout B
66493 - Part ICenter Label A
66493 - Part IICenter Label B
1601TFA 66493 PTI I5A F1 WS MASTERED BY CAPITOL HRunout A
1601TFB 66493 PTII I5B F2 WS MASTERED BY CAPITOL HRunout B
66493 - Part ICenter Label A
66493 - Part IICenter Label B
66493 - Part ICenter Label A
66493 - Part IICenter Label B
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 | Australia | Motown 1601 TFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | France | Motown 101607 / Vogue 101607First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Motown M 1601First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Portugal | Imavox IM 26.043First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | US | Tamla 1601TFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Tamla 1601 TFFirst year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Tamla 1601TFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Tamla 1601TFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Tamla 1601TFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Tamla 1601 TFFirst year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Canada | Tamla T 1601X7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Germany | Motown 120·07·04512", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1982 | Japan | Motown VIPX-1628 / Motown MOT-16287", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Japan | Motown VIPX-1628 / Motown MOT-16287", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Peru | Motown F-MOT 0001601.87", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
20 vinyl pressings of Tell Me Tomorrow are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, Australia, France, New Zealand and more. One of them is Tamla 1601TF.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1601TF, 1601 TF, 101607, M 1601) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1601TFA 66493 PTI I5B F2 WS MASTERED BY CAPITOL ─◁ and 1601TFB 66493 PTII I5B F2 WS MASTERED BY CAPITOL ─◁. 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.
