Vinyl pressings
by Tears For Fears · 1983
The Hurting was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
39 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 19 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.
MERS 17 A 2 420 1 11 5 TA1PESide A runout, variant 1
MERS 17 B 2 420 11 16 TA1PESide B runout, variant 1
MERS 17 A = 1 420 T 1 1 1 1 TA1PESide A runout, variant 2
MERS 17 B▽2̶ 1420 T 1 1 1 0 TA1PESide B runout, variant 2
MERS 17 A//4▽420 .T 11 11 TA1PESide A, runout
M E R S 17 B//4▽420 T 11 11 TA1PESide B, runout
MERS 17 A//3▽420 T J1 1 U TA1PERunout side A, variant 1
MERS 17 B 2 420 1 1 29 TA1PERunout side B, variant 1
MERS 17 A//4▽420 T J1 1 2 TA1PERunout side A, variant 2
MERS 17 B 2 420 1 1 25 TA1PERunout side B, variant 2
MERS 17 A = 1 420 T 1 1 1 1 TA1PESide A runout
MERS 17 B//4▽420 T 11 1 TA1PESide B runout
422-811 039-1 AS-PRC-R-1-1 MASTERDISK Hw 1-Q-P 7-2051-208Side A runout
422-811 039-1- BS-1-1-1-Q MASTERDISK 8 PRC 7-205-208Side B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Brazil | Mercury 811 039-1 9 / Mercury 81103919First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Vertigo VOG-1-3323First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Canada | Vertigo VOG-1-3323First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Mercury 811 039-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | France | Mercury 811 039-1 / Phonogram 811 039-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Mercury 811 039-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Mercury 811 039-1 / Mercury mers 17First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Mercury 811 039-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Mercury 811 039-1 / Mercury mers 17First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Greece | Mercury 811 039-1 / Mercury 811039-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Ireland | Mercury MERS 17First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Israel | Mercury 811039-1 / Phonokol 811039-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Israel | Mercury 811039-1 / Phonokol 811039-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Italy | Mercury 811 039-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Mercury 25PP-88First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | UK | Mercury MERS 17LP, Album, Reissue, White Label | LP, Album, Reissue, White Label |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Europe | Universal Music Group 3743330 / Universal Music Group 3747683CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered, CD, Compilation, Remastered, DVD, DVD-Video, PAL, Remastered, Box Set, Limited Edition, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered, CD, Compilation, Remastered, DVD, DVD-Video, PAL, Remastered, Box Set, Limited Edition, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 2014 | Europe | Mercury 378 944-0 / Mercury 0602537894406LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2019 | Europe | Mercury 775 070-8 / Mercury 006025775070836LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| 2019 | Europe | Mercury 00602577507083 / Mercury 775 070-8LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Europe | Mercury 355 930-3 / Mercury 00602435593036LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Repress · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Repress · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | Europe | Mercury ARHSLP011 / UMC ARHSLP011LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Mercury 811 039-1 / Mercury MERS 17LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | Mercury 811 039-1 M-1 / Mercury 422-811 039-1 M-1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
59 vinyl pressings of The Hurting are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1983 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, France, Australasia and more. One of them is Mercury mers 17, released March 7, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use mers 17, 811 039-1 M-1, 422 811 039-1 M-1, 811 039-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MERS 17 A 2 420 1 11 5 TA1PE and MERS 17 B 2 420 11 16 TA1PE. 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.
