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True Stories by Talking Heads, album cover

Vinyl pressings

True Stories

by Talking Heads · 1986

42 pressings24 countriesLeftfieldIndie RockNew WaveElectronic

True Stories was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.

How to spot a first pressing of True Stories

32 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 22 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.

US

August 18, 1986
Label and catalog number
Sire 1-25512Sire 9 25512-1
Format
LP, Album · Specialty Pressing
Runout / matrix

1-25512-A RE1 SH3 0-1SM1-2 AL-SP △13574 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-24657-Re1-SH3Side A runout, variant 1

1-25512-B RE2 SH3 0-1SM2-1 △13574-X AL-SP [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-24658-Re2 SH3Side B runout, variant 1

1-2 55 12-A RE1 SH3 0-1SM1-2 AL-SP 1̶-̶1̶ △13574 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-24657-Re1-SH3Side A runout, variant 2

1-25512-B RE2 SH3 0-2 AL-SP 1̶-̶2̶ △13574-X [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-24658-Re2 SH3 1̶-̶2̶Side B runout, variant 2

Full details of this pressing

US

August 18, 1986
Label and catalog number
Sire 1-25512Sire 9 25512-1
Format
LP, Album, Stereo · Allied Pressing
Runout / matrix

1-25512-A RE1-SH4 1-1 △13574 B-24657-Re1 SH4Side A runout, variant 1

1-25512-B-RE2 SH2 1-1 △13574-X [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-24658-Re2-SH2Side B runout, variant 1

1-25512-A RE1-SH4 1-1 △13574 B-24657-Re1 SH4Side A runout, variant 2

1-25512-B-RE2 SH1 1- △13574-X [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-24658-Re2-SH1 1̶-̶2̶Side B runout, variant 2

Full details of this pressing

UK

August 15, 1986
Label and catalog number
EMI EU 3511EMI 24 0612 1
Format
LP, Album
Runout / matrix

EU EMC 3511 A-3-1-1-Variant 1 side A runout

EU EMC 3511 B-2-1-1-Variant 1 side B runout

EU E̶M̶C̶ 3511 A-3-1-5- DVariant 2 side A runout

EU E̶M̶C̶ 3511 B-2-1-3-X1 DVariant 2 side B runout

Full details of this pressing

Japan

October 6, 1986
Label and catalog number
EMI EMS91187
Format
LP, Album, Stereo
Runout / matrix

(EMC 3511 A) 1S 5 EU 3511 A 6-3Runout Side A

(EMC 3511 B) 1S 6 EU 3511 BRunout Side B

Full details of this pressing

Australia

1986
Label and catalog number
EMI EMC 240612
Format
LP, Album
Runout / matrix

EMC 240612 A TP - MASTERED ON COPPER -Side A, Etched / (- MASTERED ON COPPER -) Stamped

EMC 240612 B TP - MASTERED ON COPPER -Side B, Etched / (- MASTERED ON COPPER -) Stamped

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 42 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1980s35 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1986ArgentinaEMI 81 2406121 / EMI 58465First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1986ArgentinaEMI 81 2406121 / EMI 58465First yearLP, Album, Promo · PromoLP, Album, Promo · Promo
1986AustraliaEMI EMC 240612First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1986AustraliaEMI EMC 240612First yearLP, Album, Promo · PromoLP, Album, Promo · Promo
1986BrazilEMI 31C 064 240612First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1986CanadaSire 92 55121First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1986EuropeEMI 062-24 0612-1 / EMI 24 0612 1First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1986EuropeEMI 062 24 0612 1 / EMI 1A 062-24 0612 1First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
1986EuropeEMI 24 0612 1 / EMI 062 24 0612 1First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1986EuropeEMI 1C 062-24 0612 1 / EMI 32471-5LP, Album, Club Edition · Club editionLP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition
1986FranceEMI 062 24 0612 1 / EMI 2406121First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1986FranceEMI 24 0612 1First yearLP, Album · Colored vinylLP, Album · Colored vinyl
1986GermanyEMI 1A 062-24 0612 1 / EMI 14 346LP, Album, Club Edition · Club editionLP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition
1986GreeceEMI 062-2406121First yearLP, AlbumLP, Album
1986GreeceEMI 062-2406121First yearLP, Album, StereoLP, Album, Stereo
All 35 pressings from the 1980s
2020s4 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
2023EuropeSire R1 25512 / Sire 603497830893LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinylLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl
2023EuropeSire R1 25512 / Sire 603497830893LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
2023USSire R1 25512 / Sire 603497830893LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
2023USA & CanadaSire RCV1 25512 / Sire 603497830893LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinylLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl
Year unknown3 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
?EuropeEMI 038 7 46345 1 / EMI 538-7 46345 2LP, AlbumLP, Album
?UKFame FA3231LP, Album, ReissueLP, Album, Reissue
?UKEMI EU 3511LP, Album, White LabelLP, Album, White Label

Tracklist

  1. A1Love For Sale4:30
  2. A2Puzzlin' Evidence5:23
  3. A3Hey Now3:42
  4. A4Papa Legba5:54
  5. B1Wild Wild Life3:39
  6. B2Radio Head3:30
  7. B3Dream Operator4:39
  8. B4People Like Us4:26
  9. B5City Of Dreams5:06

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of True Stories are there?

42 vinyl pressings of True Stories are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1986 and 2023.

When was True Stories first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Japan, Argentina and more. One of them is Sire 1-25512, released August 18, 1986.

How do I tell if my copy of True Stories is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1-25512, EU 3511, EMS91187, 81 2406121) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1-25512-A RE1 SH3 0-1SM1-2 AL-SP △13574 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-24657-Re1-SH3 and 1-25512-B RE2 SH3 0-1SM2-1 △13574-X AL-SP [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-24658-Re2 SH3. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is True Stories on vinyl worth?

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.

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