France
1981- Label and catalog number
- Virgin 600485
- Format
- 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM
The Human LeagueHard Times / Love Action (I Believe In Love)
Vinyl pressings
Hard Times / Love Action (I Believe In Love)
by The Human League · 1981
44 pressings16 countriesSynth-popElectronic
Hard Times was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Hard Times
32 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 11 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.
France
1981- Label and catalog number
- Virgin 103518
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single
UK
July 27, 1981- Label and catalog number
- Virgin VS435
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
VS 435 A2 TOWNHOUSE ARunout, A-side, variant 1
VS 435 B2 TOWNHOUSERunout, B-side, variant 1
VS 435 A2 TOWNHOUSE AY 52364Runout, A-side, variant 2
VS 435 B1 TOWNHOUSE AY 52364Runout, B-side, variant 2
UK
July 27, 1981- Label and catalog number
- Virgin VS435
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
VS 435 A2Runout, A-side, etched - Variant 1
VS 435 B2Runout, B-side, etched - Variant 1
TOWNHOUSERunout, A & B-side, stamped - Variant 1 & 2
VS435aSide A label
UK
July 27, 1981- Label and catalog number
- Virgin VS435
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
VS 435 A2 TOWNHOUSERunout, A-side, etched, 'TOWNHOUSE ⋀' is stamped - variant 1
VS 435 B1 TOWNHOUSERunout, B-side, etched, 'TOWNHOUSE' is stamped - variant 1
UK
July 27, 1981- Label and catalog number
- Virgin VS435
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
VS 435 A2 TOWNHOUSERunout, A-side, etched, 'TOWNHOUSE ⋀' is stamped - variant 1
VS 435 B2 TOWNHOUSERunout, B-side, etched, 'TOWNHOUSE' is stamped - variant 1
VS 435 A3 TOWNHOUSE VS 453 A3Runout, A-side, 'VS 435 A3 TOWNHOUSE' is stamped; 'VS 453 A3' is etched with 453 struck out- variant 2
VS 435 B2 TOWNHOUSERunout, B-side, etched, 'TOWNHOUSE' is stamped - variant 2
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 44 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s43 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Virgin VS 43512 / Virgin VS435-12First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Australia | Virgin VS 435First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Australia | Virgin VS 43512 / Virgin VS435-12First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Benelux | Virgin 103 518 / Virgin 103 518-100First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Canada | Virgin VSX-1134 / Virgin VSX 1134First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1981 | Canada | Virgin VS 1134First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Virgin VS 1134First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Virgin VSX-1134 / Virgin VSX 1134First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1981 | France | Virgin 600485First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | France | Virgin 103518First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Germany | Virgin 103 518 / Virgin 103 518 - 100First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Germany | Virgin 600 470 / Virgin 600 470-213First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | Ireland | Virgin VS435First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Ireland | Virgin VS435First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Mexico | Virgin S-636First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
2010s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Europe | Virgin 060253754075412", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
Tracklist
- ALove Action (I Believe In Love)5:00
- BHard Times5:10
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Hard Times are there?
44 vinyl pressings of Hard Times are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1981 and 2013.
When was Hard Times first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in France, UK, US, Mexico and more. One of them is Virgin 600485.
How do I tell if my copy of Hard Times is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 600485, 103518, VS435, VS435-12) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Hard Times on vinyl worth?
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.
