Vinyl pressings
by The Pretenders · 1980
Talk Of The Town was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 11 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 12 A1 W-2 HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOIRA!A-side runout, etched - variant 1
ARE 12 B1 - timtom-cbs W-1B-side runout, etched - variant 1
ARE 12 A1 W-30 HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOIRA!A-side runout, etched - variant 2
ARE 12 B1 - timtom-cbs W-35B-side runout, etched - variant 2
ARE 12 A1 W-5 HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOIRA!A-side runout, etched - Variant 1
ARE 12 B1 - timtom-cbs W-4B-side runout, etched - Variant 1
ARE 12 A1 W26 HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOIRA!A-side runout, etched - Variant 2
ARE 12 B1 - timtom-cbs W28B-side runout, etched - Variant 2
ARE 12 A1 2 M HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOIRA!A-side runout, etched
ARE 12 B1 - timtom-cbs WB-side runout, etched
ARE 12 A*Side A label
ARE 12 B*Side B label
D MX195343 B ARE 12-1A-side runout, stamped
D MX195344 B ARE 12-2B-side runout, stamped
WB17599 A 13C1 YRunout side A, variant 1
WB17599 B 13C1 YRunout side B, variant 1
WB -17.599-A 1Runout side A, variant 2
WB17599 B 13C1 XRunout side B, variant 2
M3 333429 1 63810 A 21 BSide 1, stamped
M3 332 888 1 63 810 B 21Side 2, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | WEA ARE 12First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Belgium | Warner Bros. Records WBN 17.599 / Warner Bros. Records WBN 17599First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | France | Real Records 2C 008 63810 / Real Records 2C 008- 63.810First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | France | Real Records 2C 008 63810 / Real Records 2C 008-63.810First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Germany | Ariola 101 801 / Real Records 101 801First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Italy | Real Records ZSGSE 33401First year12", Mini-Album | 12", Mini-Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Real Records ZPGSE 33401First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | Real Records ZPGSE 33401First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | Real Records 7PP-15First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | Japan | Real Records 7PP-15First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | Real Records 7PP-15First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records WBN 17.599 / Warner Bros. Records WBN 17599First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | New Zealand | WEA ARE 12First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | Portugal | Real Records ARE 12 / Real Records ARE 12 NPFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Scandinavia | Real Records ARE 12First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Sire ARE 127", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
20 vinyl pressings of Talk Of The Town are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Australia, Belgium, France and more. One of them is Real Records ARE 12, released March 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ARE 12, WBN 17.599, 2C 008 63810, 101 801) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ARE 12 A1 W-2 HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOIRA! and ARE 12 B1 - timtom-cbs W-1. 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.
