Vinyl pressings
by Tears For Fears · 1989
Woman In Chains was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 9 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.
IDEA 13 A-2U-1- D TEARS FOR FEARS-2-7-A2 MASTERDISK DMMRunout side A, variant 1
IDEA 13 B-2U-1- D TEARS FOR FEARS -2-7-B2 MASTERDISK DMMRunout side B, variant 1
IDEA 13-A-1U-1- 1- TEARS FOR FEARS-2-7-A1 D MASTERDISK DMMRunout side A, variant 2
IDEA 13 B-2U-1- D TEARS FOR FEARS -2-7-B2 MASTERDISK DMMRunout side B, variant 2
IDEAT 13 A-2U-1- DSide A, runout, stamped
TEARS FOR FEARS -2-12-A2 MASTERDISK DMMSide A, runout, etched
IDEAT 13 B-2U-1- DSide B, runout, stamped
TEARS FOR FEARS -2-12-B2 MASTERDISK DMMSide B, runout, etched
̶I̶D̶E̶A̶T̶ ̶ 13 A-2U-1- D TEARS FOR FEARS-2-12-A2 MASTERDISK DMM IDPDSide A runout
̶I̶D̶E̶A̶T̶ ̶ ̷I̷D̷E̷T̷A̷ 13 B-1U-1-1- D TEARS FOR FEARS-2-12-B1 MASTERDISK DMM IDPDSide B runout
TEARS FOR FEARS-2-7-A1 D IDEA 13 A-1U-1-Q2Runout side A
TEARS FOR FEARS-2-7-B1 D IDEA 13 A-1U-1-Q2Runout side B
IDEA 13ALabel side A
IDEA 13BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Australasia | Fontana 876 248-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Australia | Fontana 876 249-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Brazil | Vertigo 2801 385First year12", Single, Promo · Promo | 12", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Canada | Fontana 876 249-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1989 | Canada | Fontana 876 248-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Europe | Fontana 876 249-1 / Fontana IDEAT 13First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | Fontana 876 248-7 / Fontana IDEA 13First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | Fontana 876 248-7 / Fontana IDEA 13First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | Fontana 876 249-1 / Fontana IDEAT 13First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Mispress | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Mispress |
| 1989 | France | Fontana 876 248-7 / Fontana 876 2487First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1989 | France | Fontana 876 248-7 / Fontana 876 2487First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | South Africa | Fontana IDEA 13First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1989 | UK | Fontana IDPD 13 / Fontana 876 376-1First year12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Numbered, Picture Disc · Limited, Numbered, Picture disc | 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Numbered, Picture Disc · Limited, Numbered, Picture disc |
| 1989 | UK | Fontana IDEA 13 / Fontana 876 2487First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1989 | UK | Fontana IDEA 13First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | UK | Fontana IDEA 16 / Fontana 868 754-77", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1992 | Europe | Fontana 868 754-77", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1992 | UK | Fontana IDEAP 16 / Fontana 868 755-112", Limited Edition, Numbered, Picture Disc · Limited, Numbered, Picture disc | 12", Limited Edition, Numbered, Picture Disc · Limited, Numbered, Picture disc |
| 1992 | UK | Fontana IDEA 167", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
26 vinyl pressings of Woman In Chains are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1989 and 1992.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in UK, US, Australasia, Australia and more. One of them is Fontana IDEA 13, released November 6, 1989.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use IDEA 13, IDEAT 13, IDEAB 13, IDPD 13) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, IDEA 13 A-2U-1- D TEARS FOR FEARS-2-7-A2 MASTERDISK DMM and IDEA 13 B-2U-1- D TEARS FOR FEARS -2-7-B2 MASTERDISK DMM. 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.
