Vinyl pressings
by Talking Heads · 1984
Once In A Lifetime 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.
17 pressings came out in 1984, 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.
7 29163 BCA 3110 S SR 2 1-1 STERLING [SRC logo]Runout Side A (Variant 1)
7 29163 BCA 3132 S SR1 [SRC logo] 1-1 STERLINGRunout Side B (Variant 1)
7-29163 A SR3 1-1 (BCA-3110) STERLING [SRC logo]Runout Side A Etched; STERLING, [SRC logo] Stamped (Variant 2)
7 29163 B SR3 1-1 (BCA-3132-S) STERLING [SRC logo]Runout Side B Etched; STERLING, [SRC logo] Stamped (Variant 2)
SRC 7-29163 A SR 3 I-I (BCA-3110) STERLINGRunouts side A
SRC 7-29163 B SR I (BCA-3110) I-I STERLINGRunouts side B
BCA 3110SLabel side A
BCA 3132SLabel side B
7 29163 BCA 3110 S SH1 1-1 STERLING SLM Δ8020 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-13491-SH1Runout, side A
7 29163 BCA 3132 S SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-13492-SH1 SLM Δ8021 1-1 STERLINGRunout, side B
BCA 3110SLabel, side A
BCA 3132SLabel, side B
PRO-A1-2207 -SHI ❀ [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-20113 SLM △7994 I-ISide A runout
PRO-A2-2207 SHI [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-20102 -SHI SLM△7994-X I-I STERLINGSide B runout
BCA 3110SSide A label
BCA 3132SSide B label
2003966-A2+CSide A runout groove, stamped
2003966-B1+CSide B runout groove, stamped
1C K 062-20 0396 6 ASide A label
1C K 062-20 0396 6 BSide B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Canada | Sire 92 91637First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Sire 92 91637First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Europe | EMI 1C K 062-20 0396 6 / EMI 1C K 062 20 0396 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Europe | EMI 1C 016 20 0395 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | EMI 062-20 0396-6First year12", Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo | 12", Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Europe | EMI 1C K 062-20 0396 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Europe | EMI 1C 016 20 0395 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Europe | EMI 1C 016 20 0395 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Netherlands | EMI 1A 006-20 0395 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | New Zealand | EMI GOOD 53First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | New Zealand | EMI EMI 5504First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Spain | EMI 006-2003957 / EMI 006 20 0395 7First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Spain | EMI 006-2003957 / EMI 006 20 0395 7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | US | Sire PRO-A-2207First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Sire 7-29163 / Sire 9 29163-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
21 vinyl pressings of Once In A Lifetime are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1984 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, Canada, Europe, Netherlands and more. One of them is Sire 7-29163.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7-29163, 9 29163-7, PRO-A-2207, 92 91637) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7 29163 BCA 3110 S SR 2 1-1 STERLING [SRC logo] and 7 29163 BCA 3132 S SR1 [SRC logo] 1-1 STERLING. 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.
