Vinyl pressings
by The Cure · 1989
Lovesong was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
26 pressings came out in 1989, 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.
FICS 30 A-1U-1-Q3Stamped Runout - Side A
FICS 30 B-1U-1-Q3Stamped Runout - Side A
FICSX 30 A-1U-1-1Stamped A side
FICSX 30 B-1U-1-1Stamped B side
FICS 30 A-1 U-1-1Stamped A side
FICS 30 B-1 U-1-1Stamped B side
FICS 30 A-1U-1-Q3Stamped A side
FICS 30 B-1U-1-Q3Stamped B side
FICS 30 A-1U-1-1Stamped A side runout
FICS 30 B-1U-1-1Stamped B side runout
FICS 30 A-1U-1-1Side A runout, stamped
FICS 30 B-1U-1-1Side B runout, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Australia | Fiction Records 0-257426First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Australia | Fiction Records 7-257427First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Canada | Elektra 96 92807First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Europe | Fiction Records 889 844-7 / Fiction Records FICS 30First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | France | Polydor 889 844-7 / Fiction Records FICS 30First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1989 | Greece | PolyGram 889 847-1 / Fiction Records FICSX 30First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM, Misprint | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM, Misprint |
| 1989 | Italy | Polydor 889 844-7 / Fiction Records FICS 30First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Philippines | Polydor PRO-3824-A / Polydor PRO-3824-BFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Philippines | Not On LabelFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1989 | Spain | Fiction Records 889 847-1 / Fiction Records FICSX 30First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Spain | Polydor CURE-SP1 / Fiction Records CURE-SP1First year7", Single, Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 7", Single, Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1989 | UK | Fiction Records FICSG30 / Fiction Records FICS 30First yearBox Set, Limited Edition, Numbered, 7", 45 RPM, Single · Limited, Numbered | Box Set, Limited Edition, Numbered, 7", 45 RPM, Single · Limited, Numbered |
| 1989 | UK | Fiction Records FICS 30First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1989 | UK | Fiction Records FICSX 30 DJFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | UK | Fiction Records FICSG30 / Fiction Records FICS 30First yearBox Set, Limited Edition, Numbered, 7", 45 RPM, Single · Limited, Numbered | Box Set, Limited Edition, Numbered, 7", 45 RPM, Single · Limited, Numbered |
29 vinyl pressings of Lovesong are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in UK, US, Europe, Italy and more. One of them is Fiction Records FICS 30, released August 19, 1989.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FICS 30, FICSX 30, FICSG30, FICSX 30 DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, FICS 30 A-1U-1-Q3 and FICS 30 B-1U-1-Q3. 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.
