Vinyl pressings
by Soft Cell · 1981
Tainted Love / Memorabilia 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.
19 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 8 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 212 A // 1 ▽ E PS 1 1 11 A PORKY PRIME CUT.A side runout variant 1
BZS 212 B // 3 ▽ E T 1 1B side runout variant 1
BZS 212 s̶̷ʙ̶̷ʟ̶̷x̶ A//1 ▽ E PS 1 1 1 2 A PORKY PRIME CUTA side runout variant 2
BZS 12 B//4 ▽ E T 1 1B side runout variant 2
SRE-49855-ZAA-1312-S-RE1-JW1 ☆STERLING 0Side A runout, variant 1
SRE-49855-ZAA-1314-S-RE1-JW1 0 STERLINGSide B runout, variant 1
SRE-49855-ZAA-1312-S-RE1-JW1#1 ☆STERLING 0Side A runout, variant 2
SRE-49855-ZAA-1314-S-RE1-JW1#1 0 STERLINGSide B runout, variant 2
SRE-49855-ZAA 1312-S-RE1-WW1 · ──◁ STERLINGRunout side A etched, STERLING stamped
SRE-49855-ZAA 1314-S-RE1-WW1 · ──◁ ☆ STERLINGRunout side B etched, STERLING stamped
ZAA 1312S RE-1Label side A
ZAA 1314S RE-1Label side B
SRE-49855-ZAA-1314-S-RE1-JW1 ☆STERLING 0Side A etched
SRE-49855-ZAA-1312-S-RE1-JW1 0 STERLINGSide B etched
(ZAA 1312S) RE-1Side A, Matrix, Label
(ZAA 1314S) RE-1Side B, Matrix, Label
SRE-49855 ZAA-1312-RE1-S-LW2·Side A runout, etched
SRE-49855-ZAA-1314-S-RE1-LW1· 4Side B runout, etched
STERLINGSide B runout, stamped
✲Sides A & B runouts, stamped
SRE-49855-ZAA-1312-S-WW1 * STERLINGrunout A
SRE-49855-ZAA-1314-S-WW1 *STERLINGrunout B
ZAA 1312Slabel A
ZAA 1314Slabel 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 | France | Celluloid 106405 / Some Bizzare 106405First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | France | Celluloid 106405First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | France | Celluloid 106405 / Some Bizzare 106405First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Germany | Vertigo 6059 448First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | South Africa | Vertigo TOS 1338 / Phonogram 6059 475First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Spain | Vertigo 6400 527First year12", Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Spain | Fonogram, S.A. 64 00 527 - 15First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Sweden | Mercury BZS 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Sweden | Mercury BZS 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Some Bizzare BZS 212First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | Some Bizzare BZS 21212", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo |
| 1981 | US | Sire SRE 49855First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | US | Sire SRE 49855 / Some Bizzare SRE 49855First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Sire DSRE 49856 / Some Bizzare DSRE 49856First year12", 45 RPM, Misprint | 12", 45 RPM, Misprint |
| 1981 | US | Sire SRE 49855 / Some Bizzare SRE 49855First year7" | 7" |
21 vinyl pressings of Tainted Love / Memorabilia are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, France, Germany and more. One of them is Some Bizzare BZS 212.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BZS 212, SRE 49855, DSRE 49856, 106405) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BZS 212 A // 1 ▽ E PS 1 1 11 A PORKY PRIME CUT. and BZS 212 B // 3 ▽ E T 1 1. 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.
