Vinyl pressings
by The Clash · 1982
Should I Stay Or Should I Go was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. 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 1982, the album's first year, in 6 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.
CBS.A.2646 A2 UK-CLASH.1.A2 MASTERDISK HowieRunout side A, variant 1
CBS.A.2646 AA2 STRAIGHT TO HELL MASTERDISK HowieRunout side AA, variant 1
CBS.A.2646 A3 UK-CLASH.1-A MASTERDISK HowieRunout side A, variant 2
CBS.A.2646 AA2 STRAIGHT TO HELL MASTERDISK HowieRunout side AA, variant 2
CBS-A13-2646-A2 Should I Stay or Should I Go MASTERDISK HowieSide A runout variant 1
CBS-A13-2646-AA2 STRAIGHT TO HELL MASTERDISK HowieSide AA runout variant 1
CBS-A13-2646-A2 Should I StAy or Should I Go MASTERDISK HowieSide A runout variant 2
CBS-A-13-2646 AA1 STRAIGHT TO HELL MASTERDISK HowieSide AA runout variant 2
CBS.A. 2646 A3 UK-CLASH-1-A MASTERDISK HowieSide A runout, variant 1
CBS.A. 2646 AA3 STRAIGHT TO HELL MASTERDISK HowieSide AA runout, variant 1
CBS.A. 2646 A2 UK-CLASH-1-A MASTERDISK HowieSide A runout, variant 2
CBS.A. 2646 AA3 STRAIGHT TO HELL MASTERDISK HowieSide AA runout, variant 2
CBS A 2646 A3 MASTERDISK HOWIE UK-CLASH-1-ARunout side A, variant 1
CBA A 2646 AA1 MASTERDISK HOWIE STRAIGHT TO HELL :)Runout side AA, variant 1
CBS.A.2646 A1 UK-CLASH-1-A-1 MASTERDISK HowieRunout side A, variant 2
CBS.A.2646 AA1 STRAIGHT TO HELL MASTERDISK HowieRunout side AA, variant 2
Side A: CBS.A . 2646 A1 C MASTERDISK Howie UK . CLASH . 1 - A - 1
Side AA: CBS.A . 2646 A3 MASTERDISK Howie UK . ClASH - 1 - A
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | Epic ES 807First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Australia | Epic ES 807First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1982 | Canada | Epic 12EXP-8537First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Canada | Epic 12EXP-8573First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Europe | CBS CBS A 2646First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | South Africa | CBS SSC 5396First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Spain | CBS CBS A-2646 / CBS CBS A 2646First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | CBS CBS A 2646First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | UK | CBS CBS A 13-2646First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | UK | CBS A11 2646First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1982 | UK | CBS CBSA 2646First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | UK | CBS CBS A 2646First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | CBS CBS A 2646First year7", Mispress | 7", Mispress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Europe | Columbia 19958438187 / Sony Music 199584381877", Reissue · Colored vinyl | 7", Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Epic ES 8077", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
15 vinyl pressings of Should I Stay Or Should I Go are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1982 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, Australia, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is CBS CBS A 2646, released September 17, 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CBS A 2646, CBS A 13-2646, A11 2646, CBSA 2646) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CBS.A.2646 A2 UK-CLASH.1.A2 MASTERDISK Howie and CBS.A.2646 AA2 STRAIGHT TO HELL MASTERDISK Howie. 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.
