Vinyl pressings
by The Costello Show · 1986
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
25 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 10 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.
ZT 40556 A1 TimTomSide A, runout, variant 1
ZT 40556 -B2 TYSide B, runout, variant 1
ZT 40556 A1 TimTom D C 1Side A, runout, variant 2
ZT 40556 -B2 TY A 4 1Side B, runout, variant 2
ZB 40555 A1 timtomRunout side A
ZB 40555 B1 TYRunout side B
ZB 40555 A*Label side A
ZB 40555 B*Label side B
ZB 40555 A1 timtomRunout side A, variant 1
ZB 40555 B1 TYRunout side B, variant 1
ZB 40555 A1 timtom 7 ARunout side A, variant 2
ZB 40555 B1 1 TY BRunout side B, variant 2
ZSS 173627-1D ᴅ G1 •Precision• A1Runout A
ZSS 173628-1D ᴇ G1 •Precision• A1Runout B
ZSS 173627Label A
ZSS 173628Label B
ZB 40555 A1 timtomRunout side A
ZB 40555 B1Runout side B
ZB 40555 A*Label side A
ZB 40555 B*Label side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia & New Zealand | F-Beat TDS 319First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1986 | Australia & New Zealand | F-Beat 104514First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Australia & New Zealand | F-Beat 104514First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Canada | Columbia 38 05809First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Europe | F-Beat ZB40555 / F-Beat ZL 40 555First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Germany | F-Beat ZLB40 555First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Germany | F-Beat ZT40556 / F-Beat ZT 40 556First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | Ireland | F-Beat ZB 40555First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Netherlands | F-Beat ZT 40556First year12" | 12" |
| 1986 | Netherlands | F-Beat ZB40555First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Spain | F-Beat ZB-40555 / RCA Victor ZB-40555First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Spain | F-Beat ZB-40555 / RCA Victor ZB-40555First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Spain | F-Beat ZT-40556 / RCA Victor ZT-40556First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | UK | F-Beat ZB 40555First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1986 | US | Columbia 38-05809First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
25 vinyl pressings of Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in Europe, UK, US, Japan and more. One of them is F-Beat ZT 40556, released January 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ZT 40556, ZB40555, 38-05809, ZB 40555) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZT 40556 A1 TimTom and ZT 40556 -B2 TY. 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.
