Vinyl pressings
by Talk Talk · 1985
Life's What You Make It was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1985, 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.
SPRO-9580 Z.2 #1 (X502198-A) MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyRun-out Side A
SPRO-9580 Z.2 #2 (X502198-A) MASTERED BY CAPITOL WallyRun-out Side B
X502198ALabel
2009357-A1-CRunout A, stamped
2009357-B2-CRunout B, stamped
EMI 1654 ARunout side A
EMI 1654 BRunout side B
EMI 1654 ASide A label
EMI 1654 BSide B label
B-8303-1 1A2HZ DM-92Etched runout side A
B-8303-2 1C2HZ DM-6Etched runout side B
92 / 6Punched in runouts
156505 6 A 21 M6 351553 2Runout side A, stamped
156505 6 B 21 M6 351554 2Runout side B, stamped
200935 7 A 21 M3 351520Side A runout, stamped
200935 7 B 21 M3 351521Side B runout, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | EMI EMI 1654 / EMI EMI-1654First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Australia | EMI EMI 1654First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Canada | EMI America B-8303 / EMI America B8303First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | EMI 1565056First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | France | EMI 2009357First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1985 | France | EMI 2009357First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | EMI 2009357 / EMI 1C 006-20 0935 77", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | Germany | EMI 1CK060 200966First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Misprint | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Misprint |
| 1985 | Italy | EMI 14 2009366First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | New Zealand | EMI GOOD 100First year12" | 12" |
| 1985 | New Zealand | EMI EMI 5540First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | South Africa | EMI 12EMIL(C) 2009366First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | South Africa | EMI EMIJ 2009357First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | Spain | EMI 052-2009366 / EMI 052 20 0936 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | US | EMI America SPRO-9580First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
48 vinyl pressings of Life's What You Make It are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, Germany, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is EMI America SPRO-9580.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SPRO-9580, 1C 006 20 0935 7, EMI 1654, B-8303) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SPRO-9580 Z.2 #1 (X502198-A) MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally and SPRO-9580 Z.2 #2 (X502198-A) MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally. 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.
