Vinyl pressings
by The Police · 1978
Can't Stand Losing You was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 2 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.
(matrix at 6 o'clock) AMS-7381-A1 ToneRunout side A etched variant 1
(matrix at 6 o'clock) AMS-7381-B1Runout side B etched variant 1
AMS-7381-A1 G Tone 1≡Runout side A etched variant 2
AMS-7381-B1 A 1≡Runout side B etched variant 2
AMS-7381-A1 ToneRunout side A, etched variant 1
AMS-7381-B1Runout side B, etched variant 1
AMS-7381-A 4 Tone 2 1 >Runout side A, etched variant 2
AMS-7381-B-3 4 1 >Runout side B, etched variant 2
(matrix at 6 o'clock) AMS-7381-A1 ToneRunout side A
(matrix at 6 o'clock) AMS-7381-B1Runout side B
AMS 7381 A*Label side A
AMS 7381 B*Label side B
AMS 7381 A-3 68 ⋀Side A runout variant 1
AMS-7381-B4 ⋀Side B runout variant 1
AMS-7381-A-3 ⋀Side A runout variant 2
AMS-7381-B-3 ⋀Side B runout variant 2
AMS-7381-A1 ToneRunout side A Matrix at 6 o'clock
AMS-7381-B1Runout side B Matrix at 6 o'clock
AMS 7381 A*Label side A
AMS 7381 B*Label side B
AMS-7381-A1 TONERun-out Side A
AMS-7381-B1Run-out Side B
AMS 7381 A*Label Side A
AMS 7381 B*Label Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Germany | A&M Records AMS 6642 / A&M Records AMS 7381First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | A&M Records AMS 6642 / A&M Records AMS S 6642First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Germany | A&M Records AMS 6642 / A&M Records AMS S 6642First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | UK | A&M Records AMS 7381First year7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | UK | A&M Records AMS 7381First year7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | UK | A&M Records AMS 7381First year7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | UK | A&M Records AMS 7381First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | UK | A&M Records AMS 7381First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | A&M Records AMS 7381First year7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | UK | A&M Records AMS 7381First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress |
| 1979 | Australia | A&M Records K7259 / A&M Records AMS 73817", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Canada | A&M Records AM-21477", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | Canada | A&M Records AM-21477", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Europe | A&M Records AMS 6642 / A&M Records AMS 73817", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | A&M Records AMS 6642 / A&M Records AMS 73817", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | UK | A&M Records AMS 73817", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| 1986 | UK | A&M Records AMS 73817", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| 1986 | UK | A&M Records AMS 73817", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | A&M Records AM-21477", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | UK | A&M Records AMS 73817", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
58 vinyl pressings of Can't Stand Losing You are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1978 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, Germany. One of them is A&M Records AMS 7381.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMS 7381, AMS 6642) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, (matrix at 6 o'clock) AMS-7381-A1 Tone and (matrix at 6 o'clock) AMS-7381-B1. 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.
