Vinyl pressings
by Sting · 1982
Spread A Little Happiness was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1982, 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.
AMS 8242-A1 ƱTOPIARunout side A (Variation 1
AMS 8242-B3Runout side B (Variation 1
AMS 8242-A3Runout side A (Variation 2
AMS 8242-B1 UTOPIARunout side B (Variation 2
AMS 8242-A3Runout side A
AMS 8242-B3 (3 deleted) (2 handwritten)Runout side B
AMS 8242-ALabel side A
AMS 8242-BLabel side B
AMS 8242-A3Runout Side A
AMS 8242-B1 UTOPIARunout Side B
AMS 8242-ALabel Side A
AMS 8242-BLabel Side B
AM02501A-T1Runout side A
AM02501B-T1Runout side B
AM02501A-T1Runout Side A
AM02501A(Mono)-T3Runout Side B
02501-ALabel Side A
02501-ALabel Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | A&M Records K 8843First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Europe | A&M Records AMS 9222First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Ireland | A&M Records AMS 8242First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Italy | A&M Records AMS 9222First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | New Zealand | A&M Records K 8843 / A&M Records AMS 8242First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1982 | Spain | A&M Records AMS 9222 / A&M Records AMS-9222First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | A&M Records AMS 8242First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | UK | A&M Records AMS 8242First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | A&M Records AMS 82427", 45 RPM, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1982 | US | A&M Records 2501First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | US | A&M Records 2501First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | UK | A&M Records AMS 8242First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
12 vinyl pressings of Spread A Little Happiness are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, US, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is A&M Records AMS 8242, released August 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMS 8242, 2501, K 8843, AMS 9222) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AMS 8242-A1 ƱTOPIA and AMS 8242-B3. 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.
