UK
December 1984- Label and catalog number
- Mercury MERS 38Mercury MERL 38
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
MERL 38 A// 3▽420 H TOWNHOUSESide A runout, stamped
MERL 38 B// 3▽420 H TOWNHOUSESide B runout, stamped
Vinyl pressings
In The Long Grass
by The Boomtown Rats · 1984
16 pressings12 countriesNew WaveRock
In The Long Grass 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.
How to spot a first pressing of In The Long Grass
15 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 12 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.
US
December 1984- Label and catalog number
- Columbia FC 39335
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Pitman Pressing
- Runout / matrix
P (P) AL-39335-1̶A̶ 2A MASTERDISK ASide A runout - variant 1
PAP BL-39335 MASTERDISK DSide B runout - variant 1
0 P (P) AL-39335-1̶A̶ 2A MASTERDISK CSide A runout - variant 2
PAP 0 BL-39335-2C MASTERDISK CSide B runout - variant 2
Italy
May 1984- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 818 419-1Mercury (818 419-1)
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
8184191 1 2 520Runout side A, stamped
8184191 2 520Runout side B, stamped
818 419.1Label side A
818 419.2Label side B
Japan
September 21, 1984- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 25PP-139
- Format
- LP, Album
Canada
December 1984- Label and catalog number
- Vertigo VOG 1 3346
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
VOG-1-3346A SNB-230 DM-5Side A runout, variant 1
VOG-1-3346B SNB-230 DM-5Side B runout, variant 1
VOG-1-3346A SNB 230 EL DM-4Side A runout, variant 2
VOG-1-3346B SNB • 230 EL DM-2Side B runout, variant 2
Germany
December 1984- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 818 419-1Q
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
818 419-1 1Y 3 20Runout side A
818 419-1 2Y 3 20Runout side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 16 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s16 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Mercury 818 419-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | France | Mercury 818419-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Greece | Mercury 818419-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1984 | Ireland | WEA TBR 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Spain | Mercury 818 419-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Italy | Mercury 818 419-1 / Mercury (818 419-1)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Japan | Mercury 25PP-139First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Japan | Mercury 25PP-139First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Canada | Vertigo VOG 1 3346First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Germany | Mercury 818 419-1QFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Greece | Mercury 818419-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Ireland | Mercury MERS 38 / Mercury MERL 38First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Mercury 818 419-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | Mercury MERS 38 / Mercury MERL 38First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | UK | Mercury MERL 38LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
Tracklist
- A1A Hold Of Me4:57
- A2Drag Me Down4:08
- A3Dave4:32
- A4Over Again3:45
- A5Another Sad Story3:42
- B1Tonight3:53
- B2Hard Times3:54
- B3Lucky3:36
- B4An Icicle In The Sun3:50
- B5Up Or Down3:33
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of In The Long Grass are there?
16 vinyl pressings of In The Long Grass are listed here, from 12 countries.
When was In The Long Grass first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Italy, Japan and more. One of them is Mercury MERS 38, released December 1984.
How do I tell if my copy of In The Long Grass is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MERS 38, FC 39335, 818 419-1, 25PP-139) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MERL 38 A// 3▽420 H TOWNHOUSE and MERL 38 B// 3▽420 H TOWNHOUSE. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is In The Long Grass on vinyl worth?
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.
