Vinyl pressings
by Swing Out Sister · 1987
Fooled By A Smile was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. 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 1987, the album's first year, in 9 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.
SWING 5 A 2 POUNDA TA1PE MTA side runout, variant 1
SWING 5 B 1 MTB side runout, variant 1
✳ SWING 5 A 2 ✳ POUNDA TA1PE MT 1 1 4A side runout, etched/stamped, variant 2
✳ SWING 5 B-1 ✳ MT 6B side runout, etched/stamped, variant 2
SWING512 A//2∇420 T 11Runout, Variant 1, Side A
SWING512 B//2∇420T 12Runout, Variant 1, Side B
SWING 512 A//1∇420 T 11 POUNDA TA1PERunout, Variant 2, Side A
SWING 512 B//2∇420T 12Runout, Variant 2, Side B
* SWING-522 A-1 * POUNDA TA1PE 2 1 1 MTSide A etched,stamped
* SWING 522. B-1 * MT. 1 1 1Side B etched,stamped
SWING 512 A // 2 ▽ 420 TRunout Stamp Side A
POUNDA TAPERunout [Hand Etched] Side A
SWING 512 B // 2 ▽ 42 0 TRunout Stamp 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australasia | Mercury 888 716-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Europe | Mercury 888 716-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Germany | Mercury 888 716-1First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Germany | Mercury 888 716-7 / Mercury 888 716-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Netherlands | Mercury 888 716-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Netherlands | Mercury 888 716-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Philippines | Mercury EP-MER-8541 / Mercury 888 716-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1987 | Philippines | Mercury MER-24-825First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Spain | Mercury 888 716-1First year12" | 12" |
| 1987 | Spain | Mercury 888 716-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | Mercury SWING 522DJFirst year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | UK | Mercury SWING DJ 512First year12", 45 RPM, Advance, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Advance, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | UK | Mercury Swing 522 / Phonogram Swing 522First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | Mercury SWING 5 / Phonogram SWING 5First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | Mercury SWING 512First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Mercury 888716-77", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
20 vinyl pressings of Fooled By A Smile are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1987 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, South Africa, Japan, Australasia and more. One of them is Mercury SWING 5, released June 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SWING 5, SWING 512, Swing 522, SWING 522DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SWING 5 A 2 POUNDA TA1PE MT and SWING 5 B 1 MT. 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.
