Vinyl pressings
by Talking Heads · 1984
Girlfriend Is Better 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.
9 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 5 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 5509 A-1-1-1-1 DRunout side A
EMI 5509 B-1-1-2-2 DRunout side B
EMI 5509 A-1-1-2-5 DSide 1, variant 1
EMI 5509 B-1-1-1-2 DSide 2, variant 1
EMI 1463A APSide A runout
EMI 1463B APSide B runout
GOOD 59 ASide A
GOOD 59 BSide B
EP EMI 8 AA side
EP EMI 8 BB side
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 | Argentina | EMI DIF 329First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | EMI EMI-1463First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Australia | EMI EMI-1463First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | New Zealand | EMI GOOD 59First year12" | 12" |
| 1984 | New Zealand | EMI EMI 943First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Philippines | EMI EP-EMI-8First year12", EP, Stereo | 12", EP, Stereo |
| 1984 | Philippines | EMI EMI-73-X-305First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | EMI 12 EMI 5509First year12", White Label | 12", White Label |
| 1984 | UK | EMI EMI 5509First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Peru | EMI America 01.21.24037", 45 RPM, Promo, Single · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Single · Promo |
| 1985 | UK | EMI 12EMI 550912", Single | 12", Single |
11 vinyl pressings of Girlfriend Is Better are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines and more. One of them is EMI EMI 5509, released November 26, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMI 5509, 12 EMI 5509, EMI-1463, GOOD 59) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMI 5509 A-1-1-1-1 D and EMI 5509 B-1-1-2-2 D. 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.
