UK
July 24, 1984- Label and catalog number
- Mercury IDEA 7Phonogram 818 838-7
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · Paper labels
- Runout / matrix
IDEA 7 A1x TIMTOM¦cbs MPORunout side A etched
IDEA 7 B1xRunout side B etched
Vinyl pressings
Mothers Talk
by Tears For Fears · 1984
58 pressings15 countriesSynth-popElectronic
Mothers Talk 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.
How to spot a first pressing of Mothers Talk
36 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 12 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.
UK
August 6, 1984- Label and catalog number
- Mercury IDEA 7Mercury 818 838-7
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Green
- Runout / matrix
IDEA 7 A//1∇420 C 1 1 timtom:cbsRun-out Side A
IDEA 7 B//1∇420 C 1 1 TYRun-out Side B
UK
August 13, 1984- Label and catalog number
- Mercury IDEA 712Mercury 818 388-1
- Format
- 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
IDEA 712 A//1∇420C 1 1 TimTom : CBS 8Run-out Side A
IDEA712B//2∇420W 1 1 1Run-out Side B
UK
August 13, 1984- Label and catalog number
- Mercury IDEA 7Mercury 818 838-7
- Format
- 7", Single, Limited Edition · Green
- Runout / matrix
IDEA 7 A // 1v∇v420 C 1 1 TimTom : CBSRun-out Side A
IDEA 7 B // 1 ∇ 420 C 1 1 TYRun-out Side B
UK
August 13, 1984- Label and catalog number
- Mercury IDEA 712Mercury 818 388-1
- Format
- 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
IDEA 712 A//1∇420C 11 TimTom :cbs 1Runout side A stamped, `TimTom CBS' etched, variant 1
IDEA 712B//2∇420C TY 1 1 2Runout side B stamped, 'TY' etched, variant 1
IDEA 712 A//1∇420C 11 TimTom :cbs 1Runout side A stamped, `TimTom CBS' etched, variant 2
IDEA 712B // 1 ∇420C TY 1 1 2Runout side B stamped, 'TY' etched, variant 2
UK
August 13, 1984- Label and catalog number
- Mercury IDEA 7Mercury 818 838-7
- Format
- 7", Single, Limited Edition · Green
- Runout / matrix
IDEA 7 A//1∇420 C 1 1 TimTom : CBSRun-out Side A
IDEA 7 B//1∇420 C 1 1 TYRun-out Side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 58 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s57 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Canada | Vertigo TFF 1First year12", Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1984 | Canada | Vertigo TFF 1First year12", Limited Edition · Limited | 12", Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1984 | Canada | Vertigo DJV 140First year12", Promo, Sampler · Promo | 12", Promo, Sampler · Promo |
| 1984 | Canada | Vertigo DJ 71First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | France | Mercury 880 248-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | France | Mercury 818 838-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Germany | Mercury 818 838-7 Q / Mercury 818 838-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | Mercury 880 258-1 / Mercury 880 258-1QFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | Mercury 818 838-1 / Mercury 818 838-1 QFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Mercury 818 838-1 QFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Mercury 818 838-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Mercury 818 838-1First year12", 45 RPM, EP, Misprint | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Misprint |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Mercury 880 248-1First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1984 | Philippines | Mercury MER-24 765 / Mercury 818 838-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | South Africa | Mercury IDEA 7 / Mercury 818 838-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
2000s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Canada | rr1000 RR 1000-1212", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
Tracklist
- AMothers Talk
- BEmpire Building
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Mothers Talk are there?
58 vinyl pressings of Mothers Talk are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1984 and 2004.
When was Mothers Talk first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Ireland, Japan, Australasia and more. One of them is Mercury IDEA 7, released July 24, 1984.
How do I tell if my copy of Mothers Talk is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use IDEA 7, IDEA 712, IDEAR 712, IDEA 712 DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, IDEA 7 A1x TIMTOM¦cbs MPO and IDEA 7 B1x. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Mothers Talk 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.
