Vinyl pressings
by The Smiths · 1985
That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 8 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.
RTT 186 A-2U-1- 2⇀ OUR SOULS OUR SOULS OUR SOULSSide A runout, variant 1
RTT 186 B-2U-1-1-1 TimtomSide B runout, variant 1
RTT 186 A-2U-1- 1⇀ OUR SOULS OUR SOULS OUR SOULSSide A runout, variant 2
RTT 186 B-2U-1- 1⇀ TimtomSide B runout, variant 2
RT 186 A-1U-1- 1-- x 1 Our Souls, Our Souls, Our SoulsSide A runout, variant 1
R̶T̶ ̶1̶8̶6̶ ̶A̶-̶1̶U̶-̶1̶-̶ ̶1̶-̶ RT 186 B-2U-1- 1- 2 OUR SOULS, OUR SOULS, OUR SOULSSide B runout, variant 1
RT 186 A-2U-1-1-X1 Our Souls, Our Souls, Our SoulsSide A runout, variant 2
RT 186 B-2U-1-1-2 OUR SOULS, OUR SOULS, OUR SOULSSide B runout, variant 2
RTT-186-A2 A OURSOULS OURSOULS OURSOULSSide A runout
RTT-186-B-2 A timtomSide B runout
RT 186 A(2 Scribbled out)1 OURSOULS,OURSOULS,OURSOULS MPOSide A, hand-etched
RT 186 B(A Scribbled Out)1 OURSOULS,OURSOULS,OURSOULS MPOSide B, hand-etched
RTT-186-A2 OUR SOULS OUR SOULS OUR SOULSRunout side A, etched variant 1
RTT-1865-B2 TIM TOMRunout side B, etched variant 1
RTT-186-A2 OUR SOULS OUR SOULS OUR SOULSRunout side A, etched variant 2
RTT-186-B2 TIM TOMRunout side B, etched variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | Rough Trade RTANZ 010First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Australia | Rough Trade RTANZ 12008First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Australia | Rough Trade RTANZ 12008First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Australia | Rough Trade RTANZ 010First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Canada | Rough Trade RT 186First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Canada | Rough Trade RT 186First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | France | Virgin 80195 / Rough Trade 80195First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Rough Trade RTANZ 010First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Rough Trade RTANZ 12008First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Philippines | Rough Trade EP-RTR-2 / Rough Trade RTT 186First year12", Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Spain | Nuevos Medios 41 151 MFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | Rough Trade RT 186First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | UK | Rough Trade RTT 186First year12", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1985 | UK | Rough Trade RT186First year7", White Label | 7", White Label |
| 1985 | UK | Rough Trade RT186First year7", White Label | 7", White Label |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | UK | Rhino Records RHN 1867", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Remastered, Repress · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Remastered, Repress · Limited |
| 2008 | UK | Rhino Records RT 1867", Single, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", Single, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
27 vinyl pressings of That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1985 and 2008.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia and more. One of them is Rough Trade RTT 186, released July 5, 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RTT 186, RT 186, RT186, RTANZ 010) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RTT 186 A-2U-1- 2⇀ OUR SOULS OUR SOULS OUR SOULS and RTT 186 B-2U-1-1-1 Timtom. 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.
