Vinyl pressings
by The J. Geils Band · 1980
Love Stinks was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
35 pressings came out in 1980, 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.
N-47 SOO-S̶W̶-1-17016-Z-14Side A etched, SW scratched out, variant 1
SOO-S̶W̶-2-17016-Z-13Side B etched, SW scratched out, variant 1
N-47 SOO-S̶W̶-1-17016-Z-14Side A etched, SW scratched out, variant 2
N-47 SOO-S̶W̶-2-17016-Z-13Side B etched, SW scratched out, variant 2
SOO-1-17016-Z-9-RE1#6 MCR JOESide A runout, variant 1
SOO-2-17016-2-3#4 · ─◁Side B runout, variant 1
SOO-1-17016-Z-9-RE1#2 MCR JOESide A runout, variant 2
SOO-2-17016-2-3 #6 · ─◁Side B runout, variant 2
SOO-1-17016-Z-11RE1 ✲ MCR JOESide A etched variant 1
SOO-2-17016-Z11 ✲Side B etched variant 1
SOO.1.17016.Z-10-RE1. ✲ MCR JOESide A etched variant 2
SOO.2.17016.Z-9. ✲Side B etched variant 2
SOO-1-17016-2-RE1-21#3 MCR Joe 0Side A runout, etched except "0" stamped, Variant 1
SOO-2-17016-2-2 #3 MCR Joe 0Side B runout, etched except "0" stamped, Variant 1
SOO S̶W̶ .1.17016.2̶.RE1.Z1 #5 MCR Joe 0Side A runout, etched except "0" stamped, Variant 2
SOO.2.17016.2-1 #5 MCR Joe 0Side B runout, etched except "0" stamped, Variant 2
SOO-S̶W̶-1-17016-Z-13 sfSide A etched, SW scratched out, variant 1
SOO-S̶W̶-2-17016-Z-12 sfSide B etched, SW scratched out, variant 1
(SOO 1-17016)Side A label
(SOO 2-17016)Side B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Argentina | EMI America 8.079First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Australia | EMI America EMAM.10 / EMI America EMAM-10First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Brazil | EMI America 31C 064 86071First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | EMI America SOO-17016 / EMI America SW-17016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | EMI America SOO-17016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | EMI America SOO 517016LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1980 | Canada | EMI America SOO-17016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | EMI America SOO 517016 / EMI America SOO 17016LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1980 | France | EMI America 2C 070 86071 / Sonopresse 2C 070 86071First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | EMI America 1C 064-86071First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | EMI America 1C 064-86 071 / EMI America 1 C 064-86 071First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Greece | EMI 1C 064-86071First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Greece | EMI America 14C 062-86071First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | India | EMI America SOO-17016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | EMI America 3C 064-86071First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | EMI America LOO 517016LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
45 vinyl pressings of Love Stinks are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1980 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is EMI America SOO-17016.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SOO-17016, R-140153, AML 3004, 8.079) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, N-47 SOO-S̶W̶-1-17016-Z-14 and SOO-S̶W̶-2-17016-Z-13. 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.
