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The SmithsI Started Something I Couldn't Finish

Vinyl pressings

I Started Something I Couldn't Finish

by The Smiths · 1987

12 pressings4 countriesIndie RockRock

I Started Something I Couldn't Finish was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. 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 I Started Something I Couldn't Finish

10 pressings came out in 1987, 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.

UK

November 6, 1987
Label and catalog number
Rough Trade RT 198
Format
7", 45 RPM, Single · EMI Pressing, Push-Out Centre
Runout / matrix

RT 198 A-1U-1- | - 5 "MURDER AT THE WOOL HALL" (X) STARRING SHERIDAN WHITESIDESide A runout, variant 1

RT 198 B-1U-1- | - 2 YOU ARE BELIEVING, YOU DO NOT WANT TO SLEEPSide B runout, variant 1

RT 198 A-1U-1- 1 - 1 "MURDER AT THE WOOL HALL" (X) STARRING SHERIDAN WHITESIDESide A runout, variant 2

RT 198 B-1U-1- 1 - 1 YOU ARE BELIEVING, YOU DO NOT WANT TO SLEEPSide B runout, variant 2

Full details of this pressing

UK

November 6, 1987
Label and catalog number
Rough Trade RTT 198
Format
12", 45 RPM · EMI Pressing
Runout / matrix

RTT 198 A-1J-1-1Side A Runout - Stamped Variant 1

RTT 198 A-1J-1-1-5Side A Runout - Stamped Variant 2

RTT 198 A-1J-1-1⇀Side A Runout - Stamped Variant 3

"MURDER AT THE WOOL HALL" (X) STARRING SHERIDAN WHITESIDESide A Runout - Etched

Full details of this pressing

UK

November 6, 1987
Label and catalog number
Rough Trade RT 198
Format
7", 45 RPM, Single · MPO Pressing, Push-Out Centre
Runout / matrix

RT 198 A¹ - "MURDER AT THE WOOL HALL" (X) STARRING SHERIDAN WHITESIDE - MPOSide A, [Hand Etched]

YOU ARE BELIEVING, YOU DO NOT WANT TO SLEEP - MPO - RT 198 B¹Side B, [Hand Etched]

Full details of this pressing

UK

November 6, 1987
Label and catalog number
Rough Trade RTT 198
Format
12", 45 RPM · CBS Pressing
Runout / matrix

RTT 198 A1 ∴ "MURDER AT THE WOOL HALL" (X) STARRING SHERIDAN WHITESIDESide A Runout - Etched

RTT 198 B1 ∴ YOU ARE BELIEVING, YOU DO NOT WANT TO SLEEPSide B Runout - Etched

Full details of this pressing

UK

1987
Label and catalog number
Rough Trade RTT 198
Format
12", 45 RPM, White Label
Runout / matrix

RTT 198 A-1J-1-1⇀x1 "MURDER AT THE WOOL HALL" (X) STARRING SHERIDAN WHITESIDESide A runout, stamped / etched

ஃ RTT 198 B-1J-1-1⇀x1 YOU ARE BELIEVING, YOU DO NOT WANT TO SLEEPSide B runout, stamped / etched

Full details of this pressing

UK

1987
Label and catalog number
Rough Trade RT 198
Format
7", 45 RPM, Single · Solid Centre
Runout / matrix

RT 198 A-1J-1- 1 ⇀ 5 (etched) "MURDER AT THE WOOL HALL" (X) STARRING SHERIDAN WHITESIDESide A runout - stamped; variant 1

RT 198 B-1J-1- 1 . 2 (etched) YOU ARE BELIEVING, YOU DO NOT WANT TO SLEEPSide B runout - stamped; variant 1

RT 198 A-1J-1- 1 ⇀ C (etched) "MURDER AT THE WOOL HALL" (X) STARRING SHERIDAN WHITESIDESide A runout - stamped; variant 2

RT 198 B-1J-1- 1 . C (etched) YOU ARE BELIEVING, YOU DO NOT WANT TO SLEEPSide B runout - stamped; variant 2

Full details of this pressing

Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.

All 12 vinyl pressings

By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.

1980s12 pressings
YearCountryLabel and catalog numberFormat
1987PortugalRough Trade RT 198First year7", 45 RPM, Single7", 45 RPM, Single
1987UKRough Trade RTT 198First year12", 45 RPM, White Label12", 45 RPM, White Label
1987UKRough Trade RT 198First year7", 45 RPM, Single7", 45 RPM, Single
1987UKRough Trade RT 1987", Test Pressing · Test pressing7", Test Pressing · Test pressing
1987IrelandRough Trade RTT 198First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single · Colored vinyl12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single · Colored vinyl
1987IrelandRough Trade RT 198First year7", 45 RPM7", 45 RPM
1987IrelandRough Trade RT 198First year7", 45 RPM7", 45 RPM
1987UKRough Trade RT 198First year7", 45 RPM, Single7", 45 RPM, Single
1987UKRough Trade RTT 198First year12", 45 RPM12", 45 RPM
1987UKRough Trade RT 198First year7", 45 RPM, Single7", 45 RPM, Single
1987UKRough Trade RTT 198First year12", 45 RPM12", 45 RPM
1988SpainNuevos Medios 41 291 M / Rough Trade 41 291 M12", 45 RPM12", 45 RPM

Tracklist

  1. AI Started Something I Couldn't Finish3:46
  2. B1Pretty Girls Make Graves3:35
  3. B2Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others5:03

Questions

How many vinyl pressings of I Started Something I Couldn't Finish are there?

12 vinyl pressings of I Started Something I Couldn't Finish are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1987 and 1988.

When was I Started Something I Couldn't Finish first released on vinyl?

The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, Ireland, Portugal. One of them is Rough Trade RT 198, released November 6, 1987.

How do I tell if my copy of I Started Something I Couldn't Finish is a first pressing?

Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RT 198, RTT 198) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RT 198 A-1U-1- | - 5 "MURDER AT THE WOOL HALL" (X) STARRING SHERIDAN WHITESIDE and RT 198 B-1U-1- | - 2 YOU ARE BELIEVING, YOU DO NOT WANT TO SLEEP. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.

How much is I Started Something I Couldn't Finish 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.

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