Vinyl pressings
by Spandau Ballet · 1981
Paint Me Down 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.
18 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.
CHS 122560 A // 2 ▽ E TH TOWNHOUSE 1 1 1Runout side A - variant 1
CHS 122560 B // 1 ▽ ET H TOWNHOUSE 1 1 1Runout side B - variant 1
CHS 122560 A//1 ∇ E TH 1 1 TOWNHOUSERunout side A - variant 2
CHS 122560 B//2 ∇ E TH TOWNHOUSE 1 1 2Runout side B - variant 2
CHS 2560 A//5▽ EP toneA side runout stamped/etched
CHS 2560 B//3▽ ETH TOWNHOUSEB side, stamped
CHS 2560 A5 | DAMONT TOWN HOUSESide A runout, etched/stamped
CHS 2560 B5 | DAMONT TOWN HOUSESide B runout, etched/stamped
CHS 2560 A//5▽ EP 1 11 toneA side, stamped and etched
CHS 2560 B//3▽ ETH TOWNHOUSE 1 1 1B side, stamped
CHS 122560 A // 2 ▽ E TH TOWNHOUSE 1 1 1Runout side A - variant 1
CHS 122560 B // 1 ▽ ET H TOWNHOUSE 1 1 1Runout side B - variant 1
CHS 122560 A//1 ∇ E TH 1 1 TOWNHOUSERunout side A - variant 2
CHS 122560 B//2 ∇ E TH TOWNHOUSE 1 1 2Runout side B - variant 2
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 | Canada | Chrysalis CHS 2560First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | France | Chrysalis CHS 2560First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Ireland | Reformation CHS 2560 / Chrysalis CHS 2560First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Chrysalis K 8568First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Chrysalis K 8568First year7", Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 7", Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1981 | Portugal | Chrysalis 6198 519First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Spain | Chrysalis CHS-2560 / Chrysalis CHS 2560First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Spain | Chrysalis CHSC-2560First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1981 | Spain | Chrysalis CHS-2560 / Chrysalis CHS 2560First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Sweden | Chrysalis CHS-2560 / Chrysalis CHS 2560First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Sweden | Chrysalis CHS-2560 / Chrysalis CHS 2560First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Reformation CHS 2560 / Chrysalis CHS 2560First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Reformation CHS 2560 / Chrysalis CHS 2560First year7", Single, 45 RPM · Colored vinyl | 7", Single, 45 RPM · Colored vinyl |
| 1981 | Canada | Chrysalis CDS 2560First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1981 | UK | Reformation CHS 12 2560 / Chrysalis CHS 12 2560First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
18 vinyl pressings of Paint Me Down are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Canada, France, Ireland and more. One of them is Reformation CHS 12 2560, released November 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CHS 12 2560, CHS 2560, CDS 2560, K 8568) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CHS 122560 A // 2 ▽ E TH TOWNHOUSE 1 1 1 and CHS 122560 B // 1 ▽ ET H TOWNHOUSE 1 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.
