Vinyl pressings
by The Teardrop Explodes · 1981
Passionate Friend was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 7 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.
TEAR 512 A//2∇EM 1 1 1Side A runout, stamped, variant 1
TEAR 512 B//1∇EM 1 1 3Side B runout, stamped, variant 1
TEAR 512 A//1∇EM 1 1 1Side A runout, stamped, variant 2
TEAR 512 B//1∇EM 1 1 1Side B runout, stamped, variant 2
TEAR 5 A 2 RAYS DAMONT 2Runout Side A etched, variant 1
TEAR 5 B DAMONT NRunout Side B etched, variant 1
TEAR 5 A 2 RAYS DAMONT AARunout Side A etched, variant 2
TEAR 5 B DAMONT BARunout Side B etched, variant 2
TEAR 5 A//1∇ET 1 1 9 RAYSRunout Side A stamped/etched, variant 1
TEAR 5 B//1∇ET 1 1 8Runout Side B stamped, variant 1
T̶ TEAR 5 A // 2 ∇ E T RAYSRunout Side A stamped/etched, variant 2
TEAR 5 B // 2 ∇ E TRunout Side B stamped, variant 2
TEAR 5 A // 2 ▽ E T RAYS T̶Side A runout, variant 1
TEAR 5 B // 2 ▽ E TSide B runout, variant 1
TEAR 5 A // 2 ▽ E T 11 5 RAYSSide A runout, variant 2
TEAR 5 B // 1 ▽ E T 11 2Side B runout, variant 2
6059 463 1A-Side label
6059 463 2B-Side label
003 6059463 1 380 POLYGRAM A3Runout, stamped, side A
003 6059463 2 380 POLYGRAM A3Runout, stamped, side B
6059 463 1Matrix, label, side A
6059 463 2Matrix, label, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Mercury 6059 463First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | France | Mercury 6059 463First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Germany | Mercury 6059 463First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Ireland | Mercury Tear 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Mercury 6059 463First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Mercury 6059463First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Mercury Tear 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Mercury TEAR 5 / Mercury Tear 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Mercury Tear 5 / Mercury TEAR 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Mercury TEAR 512First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
10 vinyl pressings of Passionate Friend are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Australia, France, Germany and more. One of them is Mercury TEAR 512, released August 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TEAR 512, Tear 5, TEAR 5, 6059 463) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TEAR 512 A//2∇EM 1 1 1 and TEAR 512 B//1∇EM 1 1 3. 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.
