Vinyl pressings
by The Police · 1986
Every Breath You Take (The Singles) 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.
41 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 26 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.
etched SP-03902-A ES-1 Emw (stamped) TrumpetSide A, variant 1
etched SP-03902-B ES-2 Emw (stamped)TrumpetSide B, variant 1
SP-03902-A" ES-1 Trumpet EmwSide A, variant 2 (etched except stamped trumpet)
SP-03902-B" ES-1 Trumpet EmwSide B, variant 2 (etched except stamped trumpet)
SP-03902-A" ES-1Runout, side A
SP-03902-B" ES-1Runout, side B
SP-03902-ALabel, side A
SP-03902-BLabel, side B
EVERY 1 A // 1 ∇ 420 C 1 2 timtomSide A runout stamped, timtom etched variant 1
EVERY 1 B // 1 ∇ 420 C 1 2 TYSide B runout stamped, TY etched variant 1
EVERY 1 A // 2 ∇ 420 C timtomSide A runout stamped, timtom etched variant 2
EVERY 1 B // 1 ∇ 420 C 1 2 TYSide B runout stamped, TY etched variant 2
'ORLAKE' EVERY 1 A2Runout, A-side
'ORLAKE' EVERY 1 B2Runout, B-side
EVERY-1 A-1 2 MT.Runout, A-side, etched/stamped
EVERY 1 B // 1 ▽ 420 C 1 TYRunout, B-side, etched/stamped
EVERY 1 A / 2 ∇ 420 C 11 TIMTOMSide A runout
EVERY 1 B / 1 ∇ 420 C 11Side B runout
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 | A&M Records 393 902-1 / A&M Records 27363First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | Argentina | A&M Records 393 902-1 / A&M Records 27363First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | Australia | A&M Records RML 53218 / A&M Records RML-53218First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | Australia | A&M Records 53218First yearLP, Compilation, White Label | LP, Compilation, White Label |
| 1986 | Brazil | A&M Records 393902-1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1986 | Canada | A&M Records SP-3902 / A&M Records SP-03902LP, Compilation, Remastered | LP, Compilation, Remastered |
| 1986 | Canada | A&M Records SP 03902LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Canada | A&M Records SP-3902 / A&M Records SP 3902LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Canada | A&M Records SP-3902 / A&M Records SP-03902LP, Compilation, Remastered | LP, Compilation, Remastered |
| 1986 | Europe | A&M Records 397 062-1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1986 | France | A&M Records 393902-1 / A&M Records 393 902-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | Germany | A&M Records 393902-1 / A&M Records 393 902-1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1986 | Germany | A&M Records 32 488 9LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Germany | A&M Records 393 902-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1986 | Germany | A&M Records 393902-1 / A&M Records 393 902-1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | South Africa | A&M Records STARL 5624 / A&M Records AMLH-63902ALP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1990 | Spain | A&M Records 393902-1 / A&M Records 397 096-1LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1990 | Mexico | PolyGram LPR-73009 / A&M Records 393 902 1LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1991 | Mexico | A&M Records LPR 73009 / PolyGram 393 902 1LP, Compilation · Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Mexico | PolyGram LPR-73009 / A&M Records 393 902 1LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
70 vinyl pressings of Every Breath You Take (The Singles) are listed here, from 33 countries, released between 1986 and 1991.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Mexico, Japan and more. One of them is A&M Records SP-03902.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-03902, SP-3902, EVERY 1, LPR-73009) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, etched SP-03902-A ES-1 Emw (stamped) Trumpet and etched SP-03902-B ES-2 Emw (stamped)Trumpet. 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.
