Vinyl pressings
by The Feelies · 1988
Only Life was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 5 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.
SPO5214-A-ES 1 -EMWSide 1 Runout - Handwritten
SPO5214 B ES 1 -EMW STERLINGSide 2 Runout - Handwritten
SP-05214-ASide 1 Label
SP-05214-BSide 2 Label
SPO5214-A-ES 1'' -EMW-Side A, Handwritten
SPO5214BES 1'' -EMW-Side B, Handwritten
STERLINGSide B, Stamped
SP-05214-ASide A Label
395 214 - 1 S 1 320Runout side A, stamped
395 214 - 1 S 2 320Runout side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Canada | A&M Records DASP 5214First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | A&M Records 395214-1 / Coyote Records 395214-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Greece | A&M Records 395214-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Greece | A&M Records 395214-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1988 | Spain | A&M Records 395214-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | A&M Records SP 5214 / A&M Records SP-5214First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | A&M Records SP-5214First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | UK | A&M Records AMA 5214LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | US | Bar/None RecordsLP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2016 | US | Bar/None Records BRNLP-236 / Universal Music Special Markets B0022213-01LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | UK & Europe | A&M Records 5400863166373 / Integral INTGDS00021LPLP, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
11 vinyl pressings of Only Life are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1988 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, Canada, Europe, Greece and more. One of them is A&M Records SP 5214.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP 5214, SP-5214, DASP 5214, 395214-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SPO5214-A-ES 1 -EMW and SPO5214 B ES 1 -EMW STERLING. 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.
