Vinyl pressings
by The Pretenders · 1983
Middle Of The Road 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.
Δ5829 1-1 729444 3AA 2246.5. SHI [ARC logo] R-12240-SHI SLMRunout side A
Δ5811 1-1 729444 AAA SHI [ARC logo] R-12225-PR1-SHI SLMRunout side B
BAA 2246SLabel side A
BAA 2243SLabel side B
7 29444 BAA 2246-S JW1 #3 0Runout side A etched, 0 stamped: Variant 1
7 29444 BAA 2243 S RE1 JW1 #1 0Runout side B etched, 0 stamped: Variant 1
7 29444 BAA 2246-S JW1 #2 0Runout side A: Variant 2
7 29444 BAA 2243 S RE1 JW1 #2 0Runout side B: Variant 2
7 29444 BAA 2246-S WW1 ─◁Runout side A
7 29444 BAA 2243 S RE1 WW1 #3 ─◁Runout side B
BAA 2246SLabel side A
BAA 2243SLabel side B
7 29444 BAA 2246·S· [Allied "ɑ" logo] R-12240-SH1 SLM △5829 1-1A-side runout
7 29444 BAA 2243 S RE1 [Allied "ɑ" logo] R-12225-Re1-SH1 SLM △5811 1-1B-side runout
BAA 2246SA-side label
BAA 2243SB-side label
7-29444 BAA 2246 S WW1 -------◁Side A runout
7-29444 BAA 2243 S RFI WW1 #2 -------◁Side B runout
BAA 2246SSide A label
BAA 2243SSide B label
7 29444 BAA 2246 S SR1 SP 1-3Runout A, variant 1
7 29444 BAA 2243· S RE1- SR1 1-1 SPRunout B, variant 1
7 29444 BAA 2246 S SR1 SP 1-2Runout A, variant 2
7 29444 BAA 2243· S RE1- SR1 1-1 SPRunout B, variant 2
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 | Canada | Sire 92 94447First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Canada | Sire 92 94447First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Europe | Real Records 259 662-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | France | Real Records 259 662-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Germany | Real Records 25-9689-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Ireland | Real Records ARE 21 / Real Records 259689-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Real Records ARE 21First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | South Africa | WEA WIS 601First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Spain | Sire S 25 9689-7First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | Sire PRO-A-2106First year12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single · Promo | 12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single · Promo |
| 1983 | US | Real Records 7-29444 / Sire 7-29444First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | Sire 9 29444-7 / Sire 7-29444First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | US | Sire 7-29444 / Sire 9 29444-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | US | Sire 9 29444-7 / Sire 7-29444First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | US | Sire 7-29444 / Sire 9 29444-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
31 vinyl pressings of Middle Of The Road are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1983 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, Canada, Europe, France and more. One of them is Sire 9 29444-7, released November 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 9 29444-7, 7-29444, PRO-A-2106, 92 94447) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, Δ5829 1-1 729444 3AA 2246.5. SHI [ARC logo] R-12240-SHI SLM and Δ5811 1-1 729444 AAA SHI [ARC logo] R-12225-PR1-SHI SLM. 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.
