Vinyl pressings
by The Belle Stars · 1984
80's Romance 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.
10 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 5 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.
SBUY 200-A1Run Out Groove Side A
SBUY 200-B1Run Out Groove Side B
BUY 200 A3 TownhouseRun Out Side A Variant 2
BUY 200 A2 TownhouseRun Out Side B Variant 2
P+BUY+200+A TOWNHOUSE ORLAKEA side runout, etched / stamped
P+BUY+200+B TOWNHOUSE ORLAKEB side runout, etched / stamped
BUY 200-ALabel Side A
BUY 200-BLabel Side B
BUY 200 A 4 < TOWNHOUSERunout Side A [Etched/Stamped]
BUY 200 B 2 TOWNHOUSE <Runout Side B [Etched/Stamped]
BUY 200-ALabel Side A
BUY 200-BLabel Side B
BUY - 200 A 4 < TOWNHOUSERunout A, etched/stamped
BUY- 200 - B2 TOWNHOUSE <Runout B, etched/stamped
BUY.200 A 4 TOWNHOUSE ARunout side A
BUY.200 B2 A TOWNHOUSERunout side B
DM 106616 A-1/84 S II Made in GermanyRunout A-side
DM 106616 B-2/84 S III Made in GermanyRunout B-side
106 616 ALabel A-side
106 616 BLabel B-side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Europe | Stiff Records 106 616First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Italy | Ariston Music STX 6003First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Italy | Stiff Records STNP 203First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Portugal | Stiff Records 521312First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | South Africa | Stiff Records BUY 200First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Stiff Records BUY 200First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Stiff Records BUYDJ 200First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | UK | Stiff Records BUYDJ 200First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | UK | Stiff Records S BUY 200 / Stiff Records SBUY 200First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | Stiff Records PBUY 200First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Stiff Records 601 38612", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
11 vinyl pressings of 80's Romance are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Europe, Italy, Portugal and more. One of them is Stiff Records S BUY 200, released June 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use S BUY 200, PBUY 200, BUY 200, BUYDJ 200) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SBUY 200-A1 and SBUY 200-B1. 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.
