Vinyl pressings
by Soft Cell · 1984
Down In The Subway 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.
13 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 6 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.
BZS 2212 A//1 ∇420 U 1 1 4 ƱTOPIASide A, runout, variant 1
BZS 2212 B//1 ∇420 U 1 1 5 ƱTOPIASide B, runout, variant 1
BZS 2212 A//1 ∇420 U 1 1 6 ƱTOPIASide A, runout, variant 2
BZS 2212 B//1 ∇420 U 1 1 6 ƱTOPIASide B, runout, variant 2
BZS 22 A // 1 ▽420 U Ʊtopia 1 2 1Runout side A, stamped/etched variant 1
BZS 22 B // 1 ▽420 U 1 3 ƱtopiaRunout side B, stamped/etched variant 1
BZS 22 A // 1 ▽420 U Ʊtopia 1 2 4Runout side A, stamped/etched variant 2
BZS 22 B // 1 ▽420 U 1 2 4 ƱtopiaRunout side B, stamped/etched variant 2
BZSR 2212 A // 2 ▽ 420 U 1 1 1 ƱTOPIA. JEFF.Runout side A (variant 1)
BZSR 2212 B // 1 ▽ 420 U 1 1 1 0 ƱTOPIA. 1Runout side B (variant 1)
BZSR 2212 A // 1 ▽ 420 U 1 1 1 ƱTOPIA. JEFFRunout side A (variant 2)
BZS 2212 B // 1 ▽ 420 U 1 1 3 ƱTOPIA.Runout side B (variant 2)
BZS 22 A // 1 ▽420 U TOPIAA-side - stamped/etched
TOPIA BZS 22 B // 1 ▽420 UB-side - stamped/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Europe | Vertigo 818 437-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | Vertigo 818 437-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Ireland | Some Bizzare BZS 22First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Vertigo 818 437-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Spain | Vertigo 818 437-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Some Bizzare BZS 22 / Some Bizzare 818 437-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Some Bizzare BZSR 2212First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1984 | UK | Some Bizzare BZS 2212First year12", 45 RPM, Advance | 12", 45 RPM, Advance |
| 1984 | UK | Some Bizzare BZS 22 / Some Bizzare 818437-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | Some Bizzare BZS 22First year7", Single, White Label | 7", Single, White Label |
| 1984 | UK | Some Bizzare BZS 2212First year12", 45 RPM, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1984 | UK | Some Bizzare BZS 22 / Some Bizzare 818437-7First year7" | 7" |
| 1984 | UK | Some Bizzare BZS 2212 / Some Bizzare 818 437-1First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
13 vinyl pressings of Down In The Subway are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Europe, Germany, Ireland and more. One of them is Some Bizzare BZS 2212, released February 17, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BZS 2212, BZS 22, BZSR 2212, 818 437-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BZS 2212 A//1 ∇420 U 1 1 4 ƱTOPIA and BZS 2212 B//1 ∇420 U 1 1 5 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.
