Vinyl pressings
by The Moody Blues · 1986
The Other Side Of Life was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1986, 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.
POLD 5190 A // 2 ∇ 420 VRunout Side A, stamped, variants 1
POLD 5190 B // 2 ∇ 420 VRunout Side B, stamped, variants 1
POLD 5190 A // 2 ∇ 420 VRunout Side A, stamped, variants 2
POLD 5190 B // 1 ∇ 420 VRunout Side B, stamped, variants 2
422829-179·1-AS-ES Emw STERLINGRunout etched side A with STERLING stamp
422829·179·1-BS-ES STERLING EmwRunout etched side B with STERLING stamp
422 829 179-1-AS- HRM STERLING A-5A Side Etch [var 1], exc STERLING
422829 179-1-BS - HRM STERLING A-4B Side Etch [var 1], exc STERLING
422 829 179-1-AS- HRM STERLING A-G ▷A Side Etch [var 2], exc STERLING
422829 179 1-BS - HRM STERLING A- ▷B Side Etch [var 2], exc STERLING
(A Side Etch, except STERLING Stamp): 422829-179-1-AS-CRP-C GI sterling
(B Side Etch, except STERLING Stamp): 422829-179-1-BS-CRP-C GI sterling
422829179-1-A-RCA 3 STERLING ISide 1, etched [STERLING I, stamped]
422829-179-1-B-RCA1 STERLING ISide 2, etched [STERLING I, stamped]
172 829179 1 // 1 380 POLYGRAM A1Side A, stamped in Runout
172 829179 1 // 2 380 POLYGRAM A1Side B, stamped in Runout
829 179-1 1Side A, on Label
829 179-1 2Side B, on 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Argentina | Polydor 29000First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Australasia | Polydor 829 179-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Australasia | Polydor 829 179-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Brazil | Polydor 829179-1 / Threshold 829179-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | Polydor PDS 1 6428First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Colombia | Polydor 829 179-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Ecuador | Polydor L.P.-75276First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Greece | Polydor 829 179-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Greece | Polydor 829 179-1LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1986 | Mexico | Polydor LPR 16579First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Mexico | Polydor LPR-16579First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Philippines | Polydor LP-829-179-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Portugal | Polydor 829 179-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | South Africa | Polydor STARL 5440 / Polydor 829 179-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | South Korea | Sung Eum Limited SEL-RG 828 / Polydor 829 179-1 Y-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | US | Friday Music FRM-91791 / Threshold FRM-91791LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | US | Friday Music FRM-99791 / Universal Music Special Markets FRM-99791LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Polydor PDS 1 6428 / Threshold PDS 1 6428LP, Album, Reissue, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Reissue, Club Edition · Club edition |
| ? | USSR | Мелодия С60 26203 009LP, Album | LP, Album |
51 vinyl pressings of The Other Side Of Life are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1986 and 2020.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, France, Philippines and more. One of them is Polydor POLD 5190, released April 9, 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POLD 5190, 829 179-1 Y-1, 829 179-1, LP-829) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POLD 5190 A // 2 ∇ 420 V and POLD 5190 B // 2 ∇ 420 V. 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.
