Vinyl pressings
by Talk Talk · 1983
My Foolish Friend was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 7 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.
EMI 5373 A-1U-1-1-4 ARUNSide A runout, variant 1
EMI 5373 B-1U-1-1-0Side B runout, variant 1
EMI 5373 A-1U-1-3-5 ARUNSide A runout, variant 2
EMI 5373 B-1U-1-1-13Side B runout, variant 2
12 EMI 5373 A - 1U - 1 - 3 - 3Runout side A variant 1
12 EMI 5373 B - 1U - 1 - 1 -Runout side B variant 1
12 EMI 5373 A - 1U - 1 - 2 -Runout side A variant 2
12 EMI 5373 B - 1U - 1 - 1 -Runout side B variant 2
EMI 5373 A-1U-1- 1 - 0 ARUNSide A runout
EMI 5373 B-1U-1- 4 - 2Side B runout
EMI 5373ASide A Label
EMI 5373BSide B Label
12 EMI 5373 A - 1U - 1 - 2 - 4Runout Side A
12 EMI 5373 B - 1U - 1 - - .Runout Side B
12EMI 5373ALabel Side A
12EMI 5373BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | EMI EMI-969First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Australia & New Zealand | EMI ED-50First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1983 | Germany | EMI 1C 006-07 720First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Portugal | EMI 11C 008-07720First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Spain | EMI 10 C 006-007.720First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | EMI EMI 5373First year7", Single, White Label | 7", Single, White Label |
| 1983 | New Zealand | EMI EMI 5373First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Portugal | EMI 11C062-07720First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | Spain | EMI 006-007720First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | UK | EMI EMI 5373 (DJ)First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | UK | EMI 12 EMI 5373 / EMI 12EMI 5373First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1983 | UK | EMI EMI 5373First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | EMI 12 EMI 5373 / EMI 12EMI 5373First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | EMI EMI 5373First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
14 vinyl pressings of My Foolish Friend are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, New Zealand, Portugal, Australia and more. One of them is EMI EMI 5373, released March 7, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMI 5373, 12 EMI 5373, EMI 5373 (DJ), 11C062-07720) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMI 5373 A-1U-1-1-4 ARUN and EMI 5373 B-1U-1-1-0. 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.
