Vinyl pressings
by The Communards · 1987
Never Can Say Goodbye was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
38 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 14 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.
LON 158 A // 2 ∇ 420 R 1 1 1 ARUNVariant 1 Runout A: Machine stamped, 'ARUN' is etched
LON 158 B / 5 ∇ 420 R 1 1 1Variant 1, Runout B: Machine stamped
LON 158 A // 1 ∇ 420 R 1 1 ARUNRunout A: Machine stamped, 'ARUN' is etched, variant 2
LON 158 B // 4 ∇ 420 R 2 1 1Runout B: Machine stamped, variant 2
LONXR 158 A // 1 ▽420 RA-side runout variant 1
LONXR 158 B // 1 ▽420 RB-side runout variant 1
LONXR 158 A // 2 ▽420 R 1 1 2 1A-side runout variant 2, stamped
LONXR 158 B // 2 ▽420 R 1 1 2B-side runout variant 2, stamped
LONX 158 A // 4 ▽ 420 R 1 1 4Side A runout, variant 1
LONX 158 B // 1 ▽ 420 R 1 111111 2 2Side B runout, variant 1
LONX 158 A // 4 ▽ 420 R 1 2 5Side A runout, variant 2
LONX 158 B // 1 ▽ 420 R 1 111111 2 4Side B runout, variant 2
[xLx] LONX 158 A//1∇420 R 1 1 2A-side runout, stamped Variant 1
LONX 158 B//1∇420 R 1 1 5B-side runout, stamped Variant 1
[xLx] LONX 158 A//1∇420 R 1 2 3A-side runout, stamped Variant 2
LONX 158 B//1∇420 R 1 1121111 2 2B-side runout, stamped Variant 2
LON 158 A // 2 ▽ 420 R ARUNSide A runout
LON 158 B̶ ̶/̶/̶ ̶6̶5̶ ̶▽̶ ̶4̶2̶0̶ ̶R̶ B // 6 ▽ 420 RSide B runout
ZPMSC 11371Side A label
ZPMSC 11372Side B label
LONX 158DJ A//∇420 R 1 1 1Side A
LONX 158DJ B//∇420 R 1 1 2Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australasia | London Records 886 206-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Australasia | London Records 886 206-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Canada | London Records LDSX 244First year12" | 12" |
| 1987 | Canada | London Records LDS 244First year7" | 7" |
| 1987 | Canada | London Records LDSX 244First year12" | 12" |
| 1987 | Europe | London Records 886 206-1First year12", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1987 | Europe | London Records 886 206-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | London Records 886 221-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Europe | London Records 886 206-1First year12", EP | 12", EP |
| 1987 | Europe | London Records 886 206-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | France | London Records 886 206-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | Metronome 886 219-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | Metronome 886 219-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | Metronome 886 237-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Germany | Metronome 886 219-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-53224 / MCA Records MC 24725RE7", 45 RPM, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo |
46 vinyl pressings of Never Can Say Goodbye are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1987 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Japan, Australasia and more. One of them is London Records LON 158, released October 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LON 158, LONXR 158, LONX 158, LONX 158DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, LON 158 A // 2 ∇ 420 R 1 1 1 ARUN and LON 158 B / 5 ∇ 420 R 1 1 1. 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.
