Vinyl pressings
by The Police · 1983
King Of Pain was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 9 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.
A&M AM 02569 - A - CRP-C-1 MASTERDISK HW GRunout side A, variant 1
A&M - AM - 02569 - B - CRP- C - 2 CRunout side B, variant 1
A&M AM 02569-A-CRP-C-I MASTERDISK HW GRunout side A, variant 2
A&M-AM-02569-B-CRP-C-2 C PRunout side B, variant 2
A&M AM-02569-A RCA-1 MASTERDISK HW IVRunout Side A
A&M AM-02569-B RCA-1 IVRunout Side B
AM-02569-ALabel Side A
AM-02569-BLabel Side B
AR ∆ 109378 A&M-AM-02569-A M-1 MASTERDISK HWRunout Side A
MR ∆ 109378X A&M-AM-02569-B-M-1Runout side B
AM-02569-ALabel side A
AM-02569-BLabel side B
A&M-AM 02569-A-CRP-C-1 MASTERDISK HW c GRunout side A (variation 1
A&M-AM-02569-B-CRP-C-1 GIRunout side B (variation 1
A&M-AM-02569-A-CRP-C-2 MASTERDISK HW c GRunout side A (variation 2
A&M-AM-02569-B-CRP-C-1 A I G IRunout side B (variation 2
A&M AM-02569-A M-1 MR ∆ 109378 MASTERDISK HWRunouts
AM-02569-ALabels
SMX 61841 P2A 4:56Runout side A
SMX 61842 5:03 P2ARunout side B
MX-61841Label side A
MX-61842Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | A&M Records K-9344 / A&M Records AM-20152First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Australia | A&M Records K-9344First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Barbados | A&M Records AM 2569First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Brazil | A&M Records 47.072First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1983 | Canada | A&M Records AM 2569First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Canada | A&M Records AM 2569First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Canada | A&M Records AM 2569First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Canada | A&M Records AM 2569First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Costa Rica | A&M Records 7065059First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Europe | A&M Records AMS 9722First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | A&M Records AMS 9722First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | New Zealand | A&M Records K 9292First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Philippines | A&M Records AM-70613First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | US | A&M Records AM-2569First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1983 | US | A&M Records AM-2569First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
28 vinyl pressings of King Of Pain are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1983 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, Australia, Barbados, Brazil and more. One of them is A&M Records AM-2569, released August 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AM-2569, K-9344, AM 2569, 47.072) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A&M AM 02569 - A - CRP-C-1 MASTERDISK HW G and A&M - AM - 02569 - B - CRP- C - 2 C. 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.
