UK
July 18, 1981- Label and catalog number
- Some Bizzare BZS 212
- Format
- 12", 45 RPM, Single
- Runout / matrix
BZS 212 A ∇ 6 420 C timtomRun-out Side A
BZS 212 B ∇ 7 420 C TYRun-out Side AA
Vinyl pressings
Tainted Love
by Soft Cell · 1981
99 pressings27 countriesSynth-popNew WaveElectronic
Tainted Love 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.
How to spot a first pressing of Tainted Love
63 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 20 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.
UK
July 18, 1981- Label and catalog number
- Some Bizzare BZS 2
- Format
- 7", Single · 'SBL' Blue Plastic Injection-Moulded Labels
UK
July 18, 1981- Label and catalog number
- Some Bizzare BZS 2
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · Blue Plastic Injection-Moulded Labels (2nd Version)
- Runout / matrix
BZS 2 A // 1 ∇ E PS 1 7 A PORKY PRIME CUTA Side Runout - Variant 1
BZS 2 B // 1 ∇ E PS 1 4 PORKYAA Side Runout - Variant 1
BZS 2 A // 1 ∇ E PS 1 6 1 1 A PORKY PRIME CUTA Side Runout - Variant 2
BZS 2 B // 1 ∇ E PS 1 2 PORKYAA Side Runout - Variant 2
UK
July 18, 1981- Label and catalog number
- Some Bizzare BZS 2
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · Blue Injection
- Runout / matrix
S̶B̶L̶ ̶1̶ A // 1 ▽ E PS 13 A PORKY PRIME CUT BZS 2A side runout, stamped/etched
S̶B̶L̶ ̶1̶ B // 1 ▽ E PS 1 PORKY. BZS 2AA side runout, stamped/etched
UK
July 20, 1981- Label and catalog number
- Some Bizzare BZS 2
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · Paper Labels, Card Sleeve
- Runout / matrix
S̶B̶L̶ 1 A̶ ̶/̶/̶ ̶2̶ ̶∇̶ ̶4̶2̶0̶ DA BZS 2-A1 DAMONT ASide A runout, stamped / etched
S̶B̶L̶ 1 B̶̶̶ ̶̶̶/̶̶̶/̶̶̶ ̶̶̶2̶ ̶∇̶̶̶ ̶̶̶4̶̶̶2̶̶̶0̶̶̶ ̶̶̶7̶̶̶B̶̶̶ DA BZS 2-B1 DAMONT BSide B runout, stamped / etched
UK
1981- Label and catalog number
- Some Bizzare Label BZS 212
- Format
- 12", 45 RPM, Single · French Pressing, Black Labels
- Runout / matrix
664 BZ S 2 1 2 A POLYGRAM A3 A Porky Prime Cut. oSide A runout. Variant 1
664 BZ S 2 12 B POLYGRAM A3 oSide B runout. Variant 1
664 BZ S 2 1 2 A POLYGRAM C4 A Porky Prime CutSide A runout. Variant 2
664 BZ S 2 12 B POLYGRAM B7Side B runout. Variant 2
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 99 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s87 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australasia | Mercury 6359 081First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Australia | Mercury 6059 448First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Australia | Mercury 6359 081First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Australia | Mercury 6059 448First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1981 | Australia | Mercury 6059 448First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Austria | Vertigo 6059 448First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Belgium | Vertigo 6059 448First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Belgium | Vertigo 6059 448First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Belgium | Vertigo 6059 448First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Vertigo SOVX 2304First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1981 | Canada | Vertigo SOV 2304 / Some Bizzare SOV 2304First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Vertigo SOV 2304 / Some Bizzare SOV 2304First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Vertigo SOV 2304 / Some Bizzare SOV 2304First year7", Single, Misprint | 7", Single, Misprint |
| 1981 | France | Celluloid CEL 6594First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | France | Celluloid 335001 / Vogue 335001First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
1990s3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Europe | Vertigo 888 647-112", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Reissue, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1990 | France | Philips 888 647-1 / Vertigo 888 647-112", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Reissue |
| 1991 | UK | Not On Label (Soft Cell) IE 112", 33 ⅓ RPM, Unofficial Release, White Label · Unofficial | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Unofficial Release, White Label · Unofficial |
2020s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | UK | Mercury 3583893 / UMC 358389310", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | 10", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2022 | UK | Mercury 358389312", 45 RPM, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
Year unknown7 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Vertigo SOV 2304 / Some Bizzare SOV 23047", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Vertigo 888 647-112", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Reissue, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | Vertigo 875 522-77", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Vertigo 6359 081 / Vertigo 6359 081 Q12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Reissue, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Sire DSRE 49856 / Some Bizzare DSRE 4985612", 45 RPM, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | Sire DSRE 49856 / Some Bizzare DSRE 4985612", 45 RPM, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| ? | US | Sire DSRE 4985612", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
Tracklist
- ATainted Love2:39
- AAWhere Did Our Love Go3:14
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Tainted Love are there?
99 vinyl pressings of Tainted Love are listed here, from 27 countries, released between 1981 and 2022.
When was Tainted Love first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Germany, Australasia and more. One of them is Some Bizzare BZS 212, released July 18, 1981.
How do I tell if my copy of Tainted Love is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BZS 212, BZS 2, SRE 49855, DSRE 49856) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BZS 212 A ∇ 6 420 C timtom and BZS 212 B ∇ 7 420 C TY. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Tainted Love on vinyl worth?
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.
