Vinyl pressings
by Sparks · 1979
Beat The Clock was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1979, 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.
VS.270.A.1 B [Utopia lyre symbol]Side A runout, variant 1
VS.270.A.1 B [Utopia lyre symbol]Side A runout, variant 1
VS.270.A2 A [Utopia lyre symbol]Side A runout, variant 2
VS.270.B2 A [Utopia lyre symbol]Side B runout, variant 2
VS+27012+A2 OR ƱSide A runout, etched
VS+27012+B2 OR ƱSide B runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Virgin K-7587First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Ariola 100.873 / Ariola 100873First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Ariola 100.873 / Ariola 100873First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Ariola 100.873 / Ariola 100 873First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Ariola 100.873 / Ariola 100873First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS27012First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc, Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS27012First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc, Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS27012First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc, Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS27012First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS27012First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc, Special Cut · Picture disc, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc, Special Cut · Picture disc, Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS27012First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc, Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS27012First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc, Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS27012First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc, Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS27012First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc, Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Virgin VS27012First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc, Colored vinyl |
21 vinyl pressings of Beat The Clock are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, Ireland, Germany, Australia and more. One of them is Virgin VS270, released July 6, 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS270, VS27012, VS 270, 100 873) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS.270.A.1 B [Utopia lyre symbol] and VS.270.A.1 B [Utopia lyre symbol]. 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.
