Vinyl pressings
by The Cars · 1979
Double Life was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1979, 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.
I - I ES 46 580 - A E̶S̶-̶4̶6̶8̶5̶0̶-̶A̶ - SP RTB sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢRun-out A, etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamped)
I - I RTB ES 46580-B E̶S̶-̶4̶6̶8̶5̶0̶-̶B̶-SP sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢRun-out B, etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamped)
I - I ES 46 580 - A E̶S̶-̶4̶6̶8̶5̶0̶-̶A̶ - SP RTB sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢRun-out A, etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamped)
I - I RTB ES 46580-B E̶S̶-̶4̶6̶8̶5̶0̶-̶B̶-SP sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢRun-out B, etched (sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamped)
ES-46850-A-2-AR R-5118 RTBA-Side Etching
ES-46850-B-2-AR RTB R-5119B-Side Etching
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Canada | Elektra E-46580First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Canada | Elektra E-46580First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Elektra E 46 580First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Elektra K 12385First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Elektra K 12385(P)First year7", 45 RPM, Picture Disc, Single · Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Picture Disc, Single · Picture disc |
| 1979 | US | Elektra E-46580-AFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1979 | US | Elektra E-46580First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1979 | US | Elektra E-46580First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Germany | Elektra ELK 12397First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | US | Elektra E-46580First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | US | Elektra E-46580First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Peru | Elektra F-ELK 0046580.77", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Japan | Elektra P-539E7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | Elektra P-539E7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
14 vinyl pressings of Double Life are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Germany, Canada and more. One of them is Elektra E-46580, released December 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use E-46580, E-46580-A, K 12385, K 12385(P)) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, I - I ES 46 580 - A E̶S̶-̶4̶6̶8̶5̶0̶-̶A̶ - SP RTB sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ and I - I RTB ES 46580-B E̶S̶-̶4̶6̶8̶5̶0̶-̶B̶-SP sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ. 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.
