Vinyl pressings
by Talking Heads · 1977
Psycho Killer was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
3 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 2 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.
6078610 1F//1▽420 04 1 1 1Side A runout, variant 1
6078610 2F//1▽420 04 1 1Side B runout, variant 1
6078610 1F//1▽420 04 1 10Side A runout, variant 2
6078610 2F//1▽420 04 1 1 10Side B runout, variant 2
6078610-ASide A runout, etched
6078610-BSide B runout, etched
6078.610.1Side A label
6078.610.2Side B label
SRE-1013-VNY-1409-S-LW2. T ✲ STERLINGRunout Side A
SRE-1013-VNY-1459-S-LW2. T ✲ STERLINGRunout Side B
(VNY 1409)SLabel Side A
(VNY 1459)SLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | UK | Sire 6078 610First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | US | Sire SRE 1013First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | UK | Sire 6078 610First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Belgium | Philips 6078 5187", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | France | Sire 2C 008 - 61.840 / Sire 2C008-618407", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | France | Sire 618407", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1978 | Italy | Sire SRE 10077", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | Italy | Sire SRE 10077", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Philips 6078 5187", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Sire SRE 10137", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | US | Sire SRE 10137", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | US | Sire SRE 10137", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Italy | Sire SRE 10077", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Sire SRE 10137", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Unknown | Not On Label (Talking Heads) 1-112", White Label, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", White Label, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1999 | Unknown | Not On Label (Talking Heads) PHY-112", White Label, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", White Label, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Sire SAM 1087", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
17 vinyl pressings of Psycho Killer are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1977 and 1999.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, US. One of them is Sire 6078 610, released December 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6078 610, SRE 1013) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 6078610 1F//1▽420 04 1 1 1 and 6078610 2F//1▽420 04 1 1. 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.
