Europe
1984- Label and catalog number
- Rough Trade RT 166
- Format
- 7", Single, 45 RPM
- Runout / matrix
RT 166-A// 56 151-1Side A
RT 166-B// 56 152-1Side B
Vinyl pressings
How Soon Is Now
by The Smiths · 1984
42 pressings11 countriesIndie RockRockPop
How Soon Is 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.
How to spot a first pressing of How Soon Is Now
9 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 3 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.
Europe
1984- Label and catalog number
- Rough Trade RT 166
- Format
- 7", Single Sided, White Label
US
1984- Label and catalog number
- Sire 0-20284Sire 9 20284-0 A
- Format
- 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single
- Runout / matrix
0 20284 A RE1 SR1 kdisc PB 1-1 [SRC logo]Side A runout
0 20284 B RE1 SR1 PB 1-1 [SRC logo]Side B runout
US
1984- Label and catalog number
- Sire 0-20284Sire 9 20284-0 A
- Format
- 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single · Label Logo Variant
- Runout / matrix
0 20284 A RE1 SR1 Kdisc PB 1-1 [SRC logo]Side A runout
0 20284 B RE1 SR1 Kdisc PB 1-1 [SRC logo]Side B runout
US
1984- Label and catalog number
- Sire 0-20284Sire 9 20284-0 A
- Format
- 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single · Allied Pressing
- Runout / matrix
0 20284 A RE1 SH1 kdisc PB [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-20382-Rl1-SH1 SLM △ 8383 1-1Side A runout
0 20284 B RE1 SH1 kdisc PB [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-20382-B Rl1-SH1 SLM △ 8383-X 1-1Side B runout
US
1984- Label and catalog number
- Sire 0-20284Sire 9 20284-0 A
- Format
- 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single · Allied Pressing, Label Logo Variant
- Runout / matrix
0 20284 A RE1 SH1 kdisc PB [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-20382-Re1-SH1 SLM △ 8383 1-1Side A runout
0 20284 B RE1 SH1 kdisc PB [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-20382-B Re1-SH1 SLM △ 8383-X 1-1Side B runout
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 42 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s33 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Rough Trade RTANZ12006First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Europe | Rough Trade RT 166First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Europe | Rough Trade RT 166First year7", Single Sided, White Label | 7", Single Sided, White Label |
| 1984 | US | Sire 0-20284 / Sire 9 20284-0 AFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | US | Sire 7-29007 / Rough Trade 7-29007First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Sire 0-20284 / Sire 9 20284-0 AFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | US | Sire 0-20284 / Sire 9 20284-0 AFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | US | Sire 0-20284 / Sire 9 20284-0 AFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | US | Sire 0-20284 / Sire 9 20284-0 AFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Australia | Rough Trade RTANZ 0087", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | Australia | Rough Trade RTANZ 1200612", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Ireland | Rough Trade RT 1767", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Ireland | Rough Trade RTT 17612", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Megadisc RT-166 / Rough Trade RT-1667", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Rough Trade RTANZ 1200612", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
1990s6 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | UK | WEA YZ 0002 / WEA 4509-90626-77", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox |
| 1992 | UK | WEA YZ0002DJ7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1992 | UK & Europe | WEA YZ0002 / WEA 4509 90626-77", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| 1992 | Europe | WEA YZ 0002 / WEA 4509-90626-77", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1992 | Europe | WEA YZ 00027", 45 RPM, Jukebox, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Jukebox, Stereo |
| 1992 | UK | WEA YZ0002 / WEA 4509 90626-77", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
2000s3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | UK | Rhino Records RT 1767", 45 RPM, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2008 | UK | Rhino Records RHN 1767", 45 RPM, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2008 | UK | Rhino Records RHN 1767", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Repress · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Repress · Limited |
Tracklist
- AHow Soon Is Now3:40
- BPlease Please Please Let Me Get What I Want1:50
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of How Soon Is Now are there?
42 vinyl pressings of How Soon Is Now are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1984 and 2008.
When was How Soon Is Now first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in Europe, US, Australia. One of them is Rough Trade RT 166.
How do I tell if my copy of How Soon Is Now is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RT 166, 0-20284, 7-29007, RTANZ12006) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RT 166-A// 56 151-1 and RT 166-B// 56 152-1. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is How Soon Is Now 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.
