UK
1988- Label and catalog number
- Hightone Records CRAY 5Mercury CRAY 5
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · Red Logo
The Robert Cray BandDon't Be Afraid Of The Dark
Vinyl pressings
Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark
by The Robert Cray Band · 1988
18 pressings9 countriesBlues RockSoulRockFunk / Soul
Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark
18 pressings came out in 1988, 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.
UK
1988- Label and catalog number
- Hightone Records CRAY 5Mercury CRAY 5
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single
UK
1988- Label and catalog number
- Mercury CRAY 512Mercury 870 569-1
- Format
- 12", 45 RPM
- Runout / matrix
CRAY 512 A-3U-1-1 (CRAY 512 A-1U-1 3U-1-1 scratched out)Stamped Side A
CRAY 512 B-3U-1-1 (CRAY 512 B-1U-1 3U-1-1 scratched out)Stamped Side B
UK
1988- Label and catalog number
- Mercury CRAYDJ 512
- Format
- 12", 45 RPM, Promo
US
1988- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 870 569-7
- Format
- 7", Single, 45 RPM · Specialty Pressing
- Runout / matrix
870569-7-2-59835-SP I - I [Stamped: SRC logo]Etched in runout A, Variant 1
870569-7-2-59837-SP I - I [Stamped: SRC logo]Etched in runout B, Variant 1
870569-7-2-59835-SP I - 2 [Stamped: SRC logo]Etched in runout A, Variant 2
870569-7-2-59837-SP I - I [Stamped: SRC logo]Etched in runout B, Variant 2
US
1988- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 870 569-7
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene · Carrollton Pressing
- Runout / matrix
870569-7-2-59835-CBS G1 Arunout A - etched
870569-7-2-59837-CBS G1 A1runout B - etched
2-59835Label A
2-59837Label B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 18 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s18 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australia | Mercury 870 569-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1988 | Brazil | Mercury 2801 277First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1988 | Canada | Mercury 870 569-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Europe | Mercury 872 113-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1988 | Europe | Mercury 872 112-7 / Hightone Records 872 112-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | France | Mercury 870 569-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Italy | Mercury 5000 803First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1988 | Netherlands | Mercury 870 569-7 / Hightone Records 870 569-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Netherlands | Mercury 870 569-1First year12" | 12" |
| 1988 | UK | Hightone Records CRAY 5 / Mercury CRAY 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | UK | Hightone Records CRAY 5 / Mercury CRAY 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | UK | Mercury CRAY 512 / Mercury 870 569-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | UK | Mercury CRAYDJ 512First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | US | Mercury 870 569-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1988 | US | Mercury 870 569-7-DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
Tracklist
- ADon't Be Afraid Of The Dark3:47
- BAt Last3:30
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark are there?
18 vinyl pressings of Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark are listed here, from 9 countries.
When was Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Hightone Records CRAY 5.
How do I tell if my copy of Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CRAY 5, CRAY 512, CRAYDJ 512, 870 569-7) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark on vinyl worth?
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.
