Vinyl pressings
by The Smiths · 1987
The World Won't Listen 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.
25 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 15 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.
ROUGH 101 A-1U-1-3-? TY1Side A runout stamped, variant 1
ROUGH 101 B-1U-1-3-? TY1Side B runout stamped, variant 1
ROUGH 101 A-1U-1-3-17 TY1Side A runout stamped, variant 2
ROUGH 101 B-1U-1-2-10 TY1Side B runout stamped, variant 2
ROUGH 101 A1 TIMTOM MPOSide A, etched
ROUGH 101 B1 TY MPOSide B, etched
TY1 ROUGH 101 A-1U-1-1 x1Side A runout
ROUGH 101 B-1U-1-1-1 TY1Side B runout
MPO ROUGH 101 A1 TIMTOMSide A, etched
MPO ROUGH 101 B1 TYSide B, etched
ROUGH 101 A-1U-1-3-W TY1Side A runout stamped
ROUGH 101 B-1U-1-2-? TY1Side B runout stamped
MD7940 A 5C1Runout side A
MD7940 B 5C1Runout side B
MD 7940ALabel side A
MD 7940BLabel side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Argentina | ERAHORA Records 10008First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1987 | Brazil | Rough Trade 670.0007 / Rough Trade 39.004First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Brazil | Rough Trade 670.0007 / Warner Music 670.0007First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | France | Virgin 70494 / Rough Trade 70494First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | France | Virgin 70494LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1987 | Germany | Rough Trade RTD 45First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Germany | Rough Trade RTD 45First yearLP, Compilation, White Label | LP, Compilation, White Label |
| 1987 | Greece | Virgin VG C 101 / Rough Trade ROUGH 101First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Greece | Virgin VG C 101LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1987 | Israel | Rough Trade ROUGH 101-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Italy | Rough Trade RGH 20614First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Italy | Rough Trade ROULP 101First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Italy | Rough Trade RGH 20614First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Portugal | Rough Trade 12 ROUGH 101 / Rough Trade ROUGH 101First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1987 | Scandinavia | Rough Trade ROUGH 101 / MNW ROUGH 101First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | France | Virgin 70494 / Rough Trade 70494LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1990 | UK | Rough Trade ROUGH 101LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1993 | Europe | WEA SMITHS 510", 33 ⅓ RPM, Compilation, White Label | 10", 33 ⅓ RPM, Compilation, White Label |
| 1993 | Europe | WEA SMITHS 5 / WEA 4509-91897-110", 33 ⅓ RPM, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered | 10", 33 ⅓ RPM, Compilation, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Numbered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | USA & Europe | Sire R1 529383LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 2012 | UK, Europe & US | Rhino Records 2564665881LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 2016 | US | Rhino Records R1 529383LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Argentina | Plaza Independencia Música 2564665881LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 2024 | Argentina | Plaza Independencia Música 2564-66588-1LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 2024 | Chile | Warner Music Chile 2564-66588-1LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Portugal | Transmedia 12 ROUGH 101LP, Compilation, Promo, White Label · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo, White Label · Promo |
39 vinyl pressings of The World Won't Listen are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1987 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, Netherlands, Australia, Ireland and more. One of them is Rough Trade ROUGH 101, released February 23, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ROUGH 101, MD 7940, 450467 1, VIL-28074) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ROUGH 101 A-1U-1-3-? TY1 and ROUGH 101 B-1U-1-3-? TY1. 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.
