Vinyl pressings
by The Cure · 1987
Why Can't I Be You? 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.
52 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 21 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.
FICSX 25 A//1▽420 H 11 ' TOWNHOUSERunout, Variant 1, Side A - stamped/etched
FICSX - 25 - B1Runout, Variant 1, Side B - etched
FICSX 25 B//1▽420 H 11Runout, Variant 2, Side A - stamped
FICSX - 25 - A1Runout, Variant 2, Side B - etched
FICS-25-A2 TOWNHOUSE DMMSide A runout, variant 1
FICS-25-B1 TOWNHOUSE DMMSide B runout, variant 1
FICS-25-A2 TOWNHOUSE DMMSide A runout, variant 2
FICS-25-B2 TOWNHOUSE DMMSide B runout, variant 2
FICS-25-A2 TOWNHOUSE DMMRunout Side A, Etched
FICS 25 B//1 420H TOWNHOUSERunout Side B, Etched
TOWNHOUSE DMMRunout Variation - Both Sides
FICS 25 A/1 ∇ 420 H 1Side A STAMPED
TOWNHOUSESide A ETCHED
FICS-25-B/1 1 1 TOWNHOUSE DMMSide B ETCHED
FICS-25-A2 TOWNHOUSE DMMA side
FICS-25-B2 TOWNHOUSE DMMB side
FICSG 25 A//1 ▽ 420 H TOWNHOUSEC side
FICSG 25 B//1 ▽ 420 H TOWNHOUSED side
FICS 25 A // 1 ∇ 420 H 1 TOWNHOUSESide A runout, stamped / etched
FICS 25 B // 1 ∇ 420 H 11 1 TOWNHOUSESide B runout, stamped / etched
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 | Argentina | Polydor 23033 / Polydor 888 454-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Argentina | Polygram 23033First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Argentina | Polygram 23033First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, White Label |
| 1987 | Australia | WEA 7-10005 / WEA 7.10005First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Australia | WEA 0-10005First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1987 | Australia | WEA 7-10005First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Brazil | Polydor 2801200First year12", Single, Promo · Promo | 12", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Canada | Elektra 96 68100First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Canada | Elektra 96 94747First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Canada | Elektra 96 94747First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Chile | EMI PROMO 104 A/BFirst year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | France | Polydor 888 454-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Germany | Fiction Records 888 454-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Greece | Polydor 885 454-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Italy | Fiction Records 888 454-1First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
54 vinyl pressings of Why Can't I Be You? are listed here, from 21 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, France, Ecuador and more. One of them is Fiction Records Fics x25, released April 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use Fics x25, Fics 25, FICS 25, Fics G 25) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, FICSX 25 A//1▽420 H 11 ' TOWNHOUSE and FICSX - 25 - B1. 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.
