Vinyl pressings
by The Blow Monkeys · 1988
This Is Your Life was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1988, 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.
LISTEN, LITTLE MAN! mt.Hand-etchings Runout Side A
PT 42150 RA-IU-I-IMachine-stamped Runout Side B
PT-42198-A-I-I-ICrossed Hand-etchings Runout Side A
PT 42150R B2Hand-etchings Runout Side B
PT 42150 A1 Λ TY1Etchings side A
PT 42150 B1 Λ TY1Etchings side B
PT 42150 DJ ALabel side A
PT 42150 DJ BLabel side B
PT 4210 RA-1U-1-1 P̶T̶ ̶4̶2̶1̶9̶8̶-̶A̶-̶1̶-̶1̶-̶1̶ MT. LISTEN LITTLE MAN!Side A runout
PT 4210 RB-1U-1-1 TY1 P̶T̶ ̶4̶2̶1̶9̶8̶-̶B-̶1̶-̶1̶-̶1̶ MT.Side B runout
TDS 490 A PT4150 ASide A etched
TDA 490 B PT4150 BSide B etched
PT 4150 ASide A label
PT 4150 BSide B label
PB 42149 ASide A label
PB 42149 BSide B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australasia | RCA Victor TDS 490First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Australia | RCA Victor 104935First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Europe | RCA PB 42149 / RCA PB42149First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | France | RCA PB 42149 / RCA PB42149First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Germany | RCA PT42150First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1988 | Italy | RCA PB 42149First year7" | 7" |
| 1988 | Spain | RCA Victor PB42149 / BMG PB42149First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Spain | RCA Victor 3A PT-42150First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1988 | UK | RCA PT 42150RFirst year12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1988 | UK | RCA PB 42149First year7" | 7" |
| 1988 | UK | RCA PT 42150 DJFirst year12", 45 RPM, Advance, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Advance, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | UK | RCA PT 42150R DJFirst year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | UK & Europe | RCA PT 42150 / RCA PT42150First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Europe | RCA PB 426957", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Germany | RCA PT 4269612", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
21 vinyl pressings of This Is Your Life are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1988 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, Australasia, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is RCA PT 42150R.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PT 42150R, PB 42149, PT 42150 DJ, PT 42150R DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, LISTEN, LITTLE MAN! mt. and PT 42150 RA-IU-I-I. 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.
