Vinyl pressings
by Stephanie Mills · 1984
The Medicine Song 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.
25 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 11 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.
A-1 ▻ 880 180-1 84 CS 748 HRMRunout side A, etched
A-1 ▻ 880 180-1 84 CS 750 HRMRunout side B, etched
STERLINGRunout both sides, machine-stamped
84 CS 748Label side A
880-180-7-84-CS-748-BWRunout, side A, etched
880-180-7-84-CS-749-BWRunout, side B, etched
84 CS 748Label Side A
84 CS 749Label Side B
84 CS 748Side One Label
84 CS 750Side Two Label
84 CS 748Label Side A
84 CS 749Label Side B
880 180-1 84 CS 748 ALD Ω B-19786-ALD SLM △ 7525 1-1Run-out Grooves A-side [etched]
880 180-1 84 CS 750 ALD Ω B-19787 SLM △ 7526 1-1Run-out Grooves B-side [etched]
STERLINGRun-out Grooves Both Sides [machine-stamp]
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 | Australasia | Casablanca 880 313-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Australia | Casablanca 880 180-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Casablanca NBSX 2372First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Canada | Casablanca NBS 2372First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | France | Casablanca 880 180-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | France | Casablanca 880 180-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1984 | Germany | Mercury 880 180-1 / Mercury 880 180-1 QFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Germany | Mercury 880 180-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Ireland | Mercury JAB 8First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Japan | Casablanca 7SA-123First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Casablanca 880 180-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Casablanca 880 180-1First year12", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Casablanca 880 180-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | South Africa | Casablanca TOS 1512First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | UK | Club JAB 8 / Club 880 180-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Club JABX 812", 45 RPM, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, White Label |
27 vinyl pressings of The Medicine Song are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, Australasia, Australia and more. One of them is Casablanca 880 180-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 880 180-1, 880 180-7, 880 180-1 DJ, 880 180-7 DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A-1 ▻ 880 180-1 84 CS 748 HRM and A-1 ▻ 880 180-1 84 CS 750 HRM. 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.
