Vinyl pressings
by The Pretenders · 1982
Back On The Chain Gang was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
37 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 18 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.
ARE 19 T A2 R/S 1 F1 W-30 W-L timtom-cbsA-side runout, variant 1
ARE 19 T B2 F1 W-23 W-L TYB-side runout, variant 1
ARE 19 T A2-8 -π R/S- W-L TimTom-cbsA-side runout, variant 2
ARE 19 T B2-9 W-L TYB-side runout, variant 2
ARE 19 A-1 F/I W-L W-58 TimTom-CBSSide A etched var. 1
ARE 19 B1 F/I W-L W-50Side B etched var. 1
ARE 19 A-1 F/I W-L W-22 TimTom-CBSSide A etched var. 2
ARE 19 B1 F/I W-L TY W-10Side B etched var. 2
TimTom-cbsA Side Runout
TYB Side Runout
Side 1: ARE 19 T A2 Fl-RS W-L TimTom-cbs
Side 2: ARE 19 T B2 Fl W-L TY
SLM 7-29840 AAA1759-S-SH3 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-10242-SH3 △ 2975 +Runout side A
SLM 7-29840 AAA1760-S-SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-10243-SH1 △ 2975-X +Runout side B
7-29840 AAA 1759SLabel side A
7-29840 AAA 1760SLabel side B
7-29840 AAA-1759-5-WW4 —◁Side A Runout Etching
7 29840 AAA 1760 5 WW1 —◁Side B Runout Etching
AAA 1759SSide A Label
AAA 1760SSide B Label
7-29840 AAA-1759S -JW1 #1 0Side A Runout
7-29840 AAA-1760-S -JW1 #1 0Side B Runout
AAA 1759SSide A Label
AAA 1760SSide B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | WEA ARE 19 / Real Records ARE 19First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Benelux | Warner Bros. Records WB 15001First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Brazil | WEA 18.064First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Canada | Sire 92 98407First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Canada | Sire 92 98407First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Canada | Sire 92 98407First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Canada | Sire 92 98407First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | France | Real Records 15 001First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | France | Real Records 15 001First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Guatemala | WEA K 15001First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1982 | Ireland | Real Records ARE 19First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Italy | Real Records ARE 19First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1982 | Italy | Real Records ARE 19First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1982 | Japan | Real Records 7PP-92First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Japan | Real Records 7PP-92First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Sire GSRE 04487", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | Sire GSRE 04487", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | Sire GSRE 04487", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
42 vinyl pressings of Back On The Chain Gang are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1982 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, US, Australia, Germany and more. One of them is Real Records ARE 19T, released October 29, 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ARE 19T, ARE 19, ARE19T, 9 29840-7) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ARE 19 T A2 R/S 1 F1 W-30 W-L timtom-cbs and ARE 19 T B2 F1 W-23 W-L TY. 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.
