UK
February 3, 1984- Label and catalog number
- Ensign ENY 508
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, White Label
- Runout / matrix
ENY 508 A-1U-1-1-1 Penthouse ALL YOU NEED IS LIFESide A runout
FB 7 ̶L̶P̶F̶B̶Side B runout
The WaterboysThe Big Music
Vinyl pressings
The Big Music
by The Waterboys · 1984
14 pressings7 countriesFolk RockRock
The Big Music 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 The Big Music
13 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 6 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
March 5, 1984- Label and catalog number
- Ensign 12ENY 508Ensign 12 ENY 508
- Format
- 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
12 ENY 508 A-1U-1-1-1 Penthouse It Ain't Why Why Why...Side A runout, stamped./ etched, variant 1
12 ENY 508 B-1U-1-1-2 Penthouse ...It Just Is.Side B runout, stamped./ etched, variant 1
12 ENY 508 A-1U-1-1⇀3 Penthouse It Ain't Why Why Why...Side A runout, stamped./ etched, variant 2
12 ENY 508 B-1U-1-1⇀1 Penthouse ...It Just Is.Side B runout, stamped./ etched, variant 2
UK
March 5, 1984- Label and catalog number
- Ensign ENY 508
- Format
- 7", Single, 45 RPM
- Runout / matrix
ENY 508 A-1U-1-1-4 Penthouse ALL YOU NEED IS LIFESide A runout, variant 1
ENY 508 B-1U-1-1-2 Penthouse HEART OF MAN IS A PAGANSide B runout, variant 1
ENY 508 A-1U-1-1-3 Penthouse ALL YOU NEED IS LIFE.Side A runout, variant 2
ENY 508 B-1U-1-1-3 Penthouse HEART OF MAN IS A PAGAN.Side B runout, variant 2
UK
March 5, 1984- Label and catalog number
- Ensign ENY 508
- Format
- 7", Single, 45 RPM · Alt. Sleeve
- Runout / matrix
ENY 508-ASide A label
ENY 508-BSide B label
UK
1984- Label and catalog number
- Ensign 12ENY 508Ensign 12 ENY 508
- Format
- 12", 45 RPM, Single · Alternative Sleeve
- Runout / matrix
12 ENY 508 A-1U-1-1⇀3 Penthouse It Ain't Why Why Why...Side A runout, stamped / etched
12 ENY 508 B-1U-1-1⇀1 Penthouse ...It Just Is.Side B runout, stamped / etched
12ENY 508-ASide A label
12ENY 508-BSide B label
UK
March 5, 1984- Label and catalog number
- Ensign ENY 508 DJChicken Jazz ENY 508 DJ
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo
- Runout / matrix
ENY 508A GL MVS 6 PenthouseSide A runout, etched / stamped
ENY 508B GL MVS 6 PenthouseSide B runout, etched / stamped
ENY 508 DJ-ASide A label
ENY 508 DJ-BSide B label
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 14 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s14 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Canada | Island Records ISL 97002 / Chicken JazzFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Europe | Island Records 601 161 / Island Records 601 161-213First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | Island Records 818 516-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Island Records K 9464First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Ensign 12ENY 508 / Ensign 12 ENY 508First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Ensign 12 ENY 508First year12", 45 RPM, Promo, White Label · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1984 | UK | Ensign ENY 508First year7", 45 RPM, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1984 | France | Ensign 818 516-1 / Island Records 818 516-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | Ensign 12ENY 508 / Ensign 12 ENY 508First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | Ensign ENY 508First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | Ensign ENY 508 DJ / Chicken Jazz ENY 508 DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | UK | Ensign ENY 508First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Australia | Ensign K-9464 / Island Records K-9464First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | South Africa | Island Records ENY 5037", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
Tracklist
- AThe Big Music
- B1Bury My Heart
- B2The Earth Only Endures
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of The Big Music are there?
14 vinyl pressings of The Big Music are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
When was The Big Music first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, France, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Ensign ENY 508, released February 3, 1984.
How do I tell if my copy of The Big Music is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ENY 508, 12ENY 508, ENY 508 DJ, 12 ENY 508) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ENY 508 A-1U-1-1-1 Penthouse ALL YOU NEED IS LIFE and FB 7 ̶L̶P̶F̶B̶. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is The Big Music 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.
