Vinyl pressings
by Talking Heads · 1979
Life During Wartime was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 6 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.
SIR 4027 A1 A PORKY PRIME CUT S-4Side A runout, variant 1
SIR 4027 B1 EG PORKY S-4Side B runout variant 1
SIR 4027 A1 A PORKY PRIME CUT S-1Side A runout, variant 2
SIR 4027 B1 EG PORKY S-1Side B runout, variant 2
SRE 4907 SXNY-1914-S-WW1 STERLINGSide A runout
SRE - 4907SX-NY-1919-S-WW1 STERLINGSide B runout
XNY 1914SSide A label
XNY 1919SSide B label
SRE-49075-XNY-1914-S-JW1#1 STERLING 0Side A runout, etched
SRE-49075 ̶5̶XNY-1919-S-JW1#3 0 STERLINGSide B runout, etched
XNY 1914SSide A label
XNY 1919SSide B label
SRE4907SXNY-1914-DJ-LW1 STERLINGSide A runout
SRE 4907 SXNY-1914-S-LW1 STERLINGSide B runout
XNY1914SSide A label
XNY1914Side B label
MX191073A-side inner label
MX191074B-side inner label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Sire SRE 49075First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Benelux | Sire wbn.17.481 / Sire WB-17.481First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | Canada | Sire SRE 49075First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Canada | Sire SRE 49075First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Sire SRE 49075First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | UK | Sire SIR 4027First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | US | Sire SRE 49075First year7" | 7" |
| 1979 | US | Sire SRE 49075First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1979 | US | Sire SRE 49075First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | UK | Sire SIR 4027First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
10 vinyl pressings of Life During Wartime are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, US, Australia, Benelux and more. One of them is Sire SIR 4027, released October 5, 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SIR 4027, SRE 49075, wbn.17.481) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SIR 4027 A1 A PORKY PRIME CUT S-4 and SIR 4027 B1 EG PORKY S-4. 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.
