Vinyl pressings
by The Smiths · 1986
Bigmouth Strikes Again was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1986, 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.
BEWARE THE WRATH TO COMERunout side A, hand-etched, all variants
TALENT BORROWS, GENIUS STEALSRunout side B, hand-etched, all variants
RTT 192 A-1U-1-1Runout variant 1. Side A, stamped
RTT 192 B-1U-1-2-1Runout variant 1. Side B, stamped
RT 192 A-1U-1- 1⇀ 0 BEWARE THE WRATH TO COMEVariant 1 - Side A
RT 192 B-1U-1- 1⇀ 0 TALENT BORROWS , GENIUS STEALSVariant 1 - Side B
RT 192 A-1-1U-1-1-2Variant 2 - Side A
RT 192 B-1-1U-1-1-2Variant 2 - Side B
MPO- RT-192 A1- BEWARE THE WRATH TO COMESide A, hand-etched
RT-192- B1- TALENT BORROWS , GENIUS STEALS -MPO-Side B, hand-etched
RTT 192 A1 ⋀ BEWARE THE WRATH TO COMERunout variant 1. Side A, etched except ⋀
RTT 192 B1 TALENT BORROWS, GENIUS STEALS D ⋀Runout variant 1. Side B, etched except D ⋀
RTT 192 A1 ⋀ BERE THE WRATH TO COME 4 1Runout variant 2, Side A, "⋀" and "4 1" are faint stamps.
RTT 192 B1 ⋀ TALENT BORROWS, GENIUS STEALS 4 1Runout variant 2, Side B, "⋀" and "4 1" are faint stamps.
RTT 192 A HiRunout A, etched
RTT 192 B HiRunout B, etched
RT192A-1U-1-1-X1Side A runout
RT192B-1U-1-1-X1Side B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | Rough Trade RTANZ 015First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | France | Virgin 90259 / Rough Trade 90259First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Netherlands | Megadisc MD 125286First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Netherlands | Megadisc MD 5286First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Netherlands | Megadisc MD 5286First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Netherlands | Megadisc MD 5286First year7" | 7" |
| 1986 | New Zealand | Rough Trade RTANZ 015First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | New Zealand | Rough Trade RTANZ 12012First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Portugal | Rough Trade RTT 192First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Portugal | Rough Trade RTT 192First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | Spain | Rough Trade 41 196 M / Nuevos Medios 41 196 MFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Spain | Rough Trade 41 196 M / Nuevos Medios 41 196 MFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Sweden | Rough Trade RTT 192 / MNW RTT 192First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | UK | Rough Trade RTT 192First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1986 | UK | Rough Trade RTT 192First year12", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | UK | Rhino Records RT 1927", Single, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", Single, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2008 | UK | Rhino Records RHN 1927", Single, Limited Edition, Remastered, Repress · Limited | 7", Single, Limited Edition, Remastered, Repress · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Warner Music UK Ltd. 25646655237", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| ? | Poland | Not On Label (The Smiths)Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Card Backed, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Card Backed, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
28 vinyl pressings of Bigmouth Strikes Again are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1986 and 2008.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, Australia, Greece, France and more. One of them is Rough Trade RTT 192, released May 22, 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RTT 192, RT 192, RTANZ 12012, RTANZ 015) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BEWARE THE WRATH TO COME and TALENT BORROWS, GENIUS STEALS. 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.
