Vinyl pressings
by The Smiths · 1984
Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 10 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.
RT 156 A-2U-1-3-2 SMITHS INDEEDSide A runout, variant 1
RT 156 B-1U-1-1-1G ILL FOREVERSide B runout, variant 1
RT 156 A-2 U-1-3-*13 SMITHS INDEEDSide A runout, variant 2
RT 156 B-1 U-1- 2-20 ILL FOREVERSide B runout, variant 2
RTT_156.A·2 SMITHS PRESUMABLYVariant 1 side A
RTT-156.B.1 FOREVER ILL TYVariant 1 side B
RTT 156.A3 SMITHS PRESUMABLYVariant 2 side A
RTT-156.B.1 FOREVER ILL TYVariant 2 side B
SMITHS INDEEDSide A, Hand-Etched
RT 156 A-2U-1-1-2Side A, Stamped (the digit 1 before the last one in reverse)
ILL FOREVERSide B, Hand-Etched
RT 156 B-1U-1-1-3Side B, Stamped (the digit 1 before the last one in reverse)
SMITHS PRESUMABLY RTT.156.A.1Side A, hand-etched
FOREVER ILL RTT-156.B.1Side B, hand-etched
SMITHS INDEEDSide A, Hand-Etched all versions
ILL FOREVERSide B, Hand-Etched all versions
RT 156 A-2U-1-3-2Side A, Stamped variant 1
RT 156 B-1U-1-1-1GSide B, Stamped (the last three digits and letter in reverse) variant 1
SMITHS INDEEDSide A, Hand-Etched
RT 156 A-2U-1-1-5Side A, Stamped (the last 1 is mirrored)
ILL FOREVERSide B, Hand-Etched
RT 156 B-1U-1-1-5Side B, Stamped (the last 1 is mirrored)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | France | Virgin 80110 / Rough Trade 80110First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Germany | Intercord INT 110.166First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Germany | Rough Trade RTD 015T / Rough Trade RTD 015 TFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Germany | Intercord INT 110.1667", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | Ireland | Rough Trade RT 156First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Ireland | Rough Trade RT 156First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Rough Trade RT 156First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Rough Trade RTT 156First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Philippines | Rough Trade RTR-86/1 / Rough Trade RT-156First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Portugal | Rough Trade TM/RT 156First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1984 | Spain | Nuevos Medios 41 092 M / Nuevos Medios 41 092First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Sweden | Rough Trade RT 156First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Rough Trade RT 156First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1984 | UK | Rough Trade RTT 156First year12", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1984 | UK | Rough Trade RT 156First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | UK | Rhino Records RHN 1567", 45 RPM, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2008 | UK | Rhino Records RHN 1567", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Repress · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Repress · Limited |
28 vinyl pressings of Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1984 and 2008.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Netherlands, Japan, France and more. One of them is Rough Trade RT 156, released May 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RT 156, RTT 156, 15RTL-6, 80110) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RT 156 A-2U-1-3-2 SMITHS INDEED and RT 156 B-1U-1-1-1G ILL FOREVER. 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.
