Vinyl pressings
by Texas · 1989
Southside 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.
17 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 13 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.
838 171-1 S1 = 1 670 07 11 19Side A runout, variant 1
838 171-1 S2 = 1 670 07 11 19Side B runout, variant 1
838 171-1 S1 = 1 670 07 1137Side A runout, variant 2
838 171-1 S2 = 1 670 07 1133Side B runout, variant 2
422-838-171-1-AS-TV STERLINGRunout A
422-838 - 171 - 1-BS-TV STERLINGRunout B
8381711 A-3U-1-1 POUNDA UTOPIA I U NO MESide A, runout variant 1
8381711 B-2U-1-1 LOU WAS HERESide B, runout variant 1
838171 1 A-1 U-1-1Side A, runout variant 2
838171 1 B-1U-1-1Side B, runout variant 2
422838171-1-AS-SP 1-1 STERLING SRCRunout A etched except STERLING SRC logo stamped
422 838-171-1-BS-SP 1-1 STERLING SRCRunout B etched except STERLING SRC logo stamped
422 838 171-1on labels
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 | Australia | Mercury 838 171-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Brazil | Mercury 838 171-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Canada | Vertigo 838 171-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Europe | Mercury 838 171-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | Greece | Mercury 838 171-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | Greece | Mercury 838 171-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1989 | Netherlands | Mercury 838 171-1First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1989 | Portugal | Mercury 838 171-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Spain | Mercury 838 171-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK | Mercury 838 171-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK | Mercury 838 171-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1989 | US | Mercury 838 171-1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | US | Mercury 838 171-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Zimbabwe | Mercury STARL 5552First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | South Africa | Mercury STARL 5552First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | UK & Europe | Simply Vinyl SVLP 146 / Mercury SVLP 146LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Europe | [PIAS] 5400863170677 / [PIAS] PIASC1098LPLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Simply Vinyl SVLP 146LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo |
20 vinyl pressings of Southside are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1989 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in Europe, US, UK, South Africa and more. One of them is Mercury 838 171-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 838 171-1, STARL 5552, 838 171) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 838 171-1 S1 = 1 670 07 11 19 and 838 171-1 S2 = 1 670 07 11 19. 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.
