Vinyl pressings
by The Jam · 1980
Going Underground 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.
30 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 15 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.
603 POY POSP 113 A DM POLYGRAM A0 ARUN ASide A stamped/etched variant 1
603 POY POSP 113 B POLYGRAM A ARUNSide B stamped/etched variant 1
POY 603 2816024 A12 POSP 113 A2 DM POLYGRAMSide C stamped/etched variant 1
POY 603 POSP 113 B2 DM POLYGRAM B 2816024Side D stamped/etched variant 1
POSP 113 A//6▽EM ARUN POLYGRAM I.M.Side A runout, stamped; ARUN etched
POSP 113 B//1▽EM ARUN POLYGRAM I.M.Side B runout, stamped; ARUN etched
B POY 603 POSP 113 A1 POLYGRAM 2816024 ASide C stamped/etched
POY 603 POSP 111̶1̶3̶ B1 POLYGRAM A 2816024Side D stamped/etched
POSP 113 A POLYGRAM A ARUN ASide A runout
POSP 113 B POLYGRAM ARUNSide B runout
603 POY POSP 113 A DM POLYGRAM A4 A ARUNSide A runout, variant 1
603 POY POSP 113 B POLYGRAM B17 ARUN. ASide B runout, variant 1
POSP 113 A//6▽EM ARUN POLYGRAM I.M.Side A runout, stamped; ARUN etched - Variant 1
POSP 113 B//1▽EM ARUN POLYGRAM I.M.Side B runout, stamped; ARUN etched - Variant 1
POSP 113 A//6▽EM 1 ARUN POLYGRAM I.M. PC2Side A runout, stamped; ARUN etched - Variant 2
POSP 113 B//1▽EM 1 ARUN POLYGRAM I.M. PB3Side B runout, stamped; ARUN etched - Variant 2
POSP 113 A//6▽EMSide A runout, stamped variant 1
POSP 113 B//1▽EMSide B runout, stamped variant 1
POSP 113 A//6▽EM 11 11 ARUNSide A runout, stamped/etched variant 2
POSP 113 B//1▽EM 13 3 ARUNSide B runout, stamped/etched variant 2
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 | Australia | Polydor 2059 216First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | France | Polydor 2607 044First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | France | Polydor 2059 216First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Germany | Metronome 0030.249First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Greece | Polydor 2059 216First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Greece | Polydor 2059 216First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Ireland | Polydor POSP 113 / Polydor 2059 216First year7", 45 RPM, EP, Single | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Single |
| 1980 | Italy | Polydor 2059 216First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Japan | Polydor DPQ 6186First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Japan | Polydor DPQ 6186First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Japan | Polydor DPQ 6186First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Mexico | Polydor S/N -181First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, White Label · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Polydor POLY 737", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1980 | Portugal | Polydor 2059 216First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | South Africa | Polydor PS1148First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Polydor 2816 0247", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
35 vinyl pressings of Going Underground are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1980 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, New Zealand, Netherlands and more. One of them is Polydor POSPJ 113, released March 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POSPJ 113, POSP 113, PRO 145, POLY 73) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 603 POY POSP 113 A DM POLYGRAM A0 ARUN A and 603 POY POSP 113 B POLYGRAM A ARUN. 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.
