Vinyl pressings
by The Cult · 1985
Rain was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1985, 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.
BEG-147T-A1. MT. 3Runout side A
BEG-147T-B1. MT. 3Runout side B
BEG-147T-A1. MT.2Runout side A, variant 1
BEG-147T-B1. MT.2Runout side B, variant 1
BEG - 147- A1 MTRunout side A, variant 1
BEG - 147- B1 MTRunout side B, variant 1
BEG-147-A1. MT.2 1Runout side A, variant 4
BEG-147-B1. MT.1 5Runout side B, variant 4
BEG-147T-A1. MT.2Side A runout, variant 1
BEG-147T-B1. MT.2Side B runout, variant 1
BEG-147T-A1. MT.3Side A runout, variant 2
BEG-147T-B1. MT.3Side B runout, variant 2
BEG - 147- A1 2 MT. 2A
BEG - 147- B1 MT. 1 2B
BEG-147T-A1. MT.1 DAMONT SSide A runout, variant 1
BEG-147T-B1. MT.1 DAMONT BSide B runout, variant 1
BEG-147T-A1 MT.1 Y DAMONTSide A runout, variant 2
BEG-147T-B1 MT.1 Q DAMONTSide B runout, variant 2
BEG-147-A1. MT.1 DAMONT FSide A runout, variant 1
BEG-147-B1. MT.1 DAMONT GSide B runout, variant 1
BEG-147-A1. MT.1 DAMONT JSide A runout, variant 2
BEG-147-B1. MT.1 DAMONT JSide B runout, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Canada | Vertigo SOVX 2368 / Beggars Banquet SOVX 2368First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1985 | Canada | Vertigo SOVX 2368First year12", Single, Misprint | 12", Single, Misprint |
| 1985 | Europe | Virgin 602 074 / Beggars Banquet 602074-213First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Ireland | Beggars Banquet BEG 147First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Italy | Virgin VINX 114First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Spain | Virgin F 602074First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Spain | Virgin A 107882 / Virgin A-107.882First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | UK | Beggars Banquet BEG-147TFirst year12", Single, White Label | 12", Single, White Label |
| 1985 | UK | Beggars Banquet BEG 147First year7", Single, White Label | 7", Single, White Label |
| 1985 | UK | Beggars Banquet BEG 147First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | Beggars Banquet BEG147TFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | Beggars Banquet BEG 147First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | Beggars Banquet BEG147TFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | Beggars Banquet BEG 147First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1985 | UK | Beggars Banquet BEG147TFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
22 vinyl pressings of Rain are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1985 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, Canada, Europe, Ireland and more. One of them is Beggars Banquet BEG147T, released September 27, 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BEG147T, BEG 147, BEG-147T, SOVX 2368) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BEG-147T-A1. MT. 3 and BEG-147T-B1. MT. 3. 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.
