Vinyl pressings
by Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers · 1985
Make It Better (Forget About Me) 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.
21 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 9 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.
MC 16697-PL3 M̶C̶-̶1̶6̶9̶1̶8̶-̶P̶L̶ ̶3̶ SLM △ 9729 Precision SM 1-1Variant 1, Runout A
MC 16918-PL 3 SLM △ 9730 Precision SM 1-3Variant 1, Runout B
MC 16697-PL3 M̶C̶-̶1̶6̶9̶1̶8̶-̶P̶L̶ ̶3̶ SLM △ 9729 Precision SM 1-1Variant 2, Runout A
MC 16918-PL 3 SLM △ 9730 Precision SM 1-1Variant 2, Runout B
MC-16697-PL2 SLM∆9729 Precision SM 1-2Side A
MC-16918-PL2 SLM∆9730 Precision SM 1-2Side B
MC-4574 PL4 SLM △ 9731 1-2 PRECISION SMSide A runout, variant 1
MCA-4575 PL1 SLM △ 9731 X 1-1 PRECISION SMSide B runout, variant 1
MC-4574-PL3 SLM △ 9731 1-2 PRECISION SM 1Side A runout, variant 2
MCA-4575 PL3 SLM △ 9731-X 1-2 PRECISION SM 1Side B runout, variant 2
MC-16697-PL3 ̶M̶C̶-̶1̶6̶9̶1̶8̶-̶P̶L̶3̶ SLM∆9729 Precision SM 1-1Side A runout
MC-16918-PL4 SLM∆9730 Precision SM 1-1Side B runout
MC 16697-PL3 M̶C̶-̶1̶6̶9̶1̶8̶-̶P̶L̶ ̶3̶ SLM △ 9729 Precision SM 1-1Both runouts
(MC16697)Both labels
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 | MCA Records 0-23559 / MCA Records 0.23559First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Australia | MCA Records 7-52605First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-23559First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1985 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-52605First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Germany | MCA Records 258 985-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Guatemala | MCA Records 589857First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | Mexico | MCA Records SCA-215First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | South Africa | MCA Records WEA 178 PROFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | UK | MCA Records MCAT 983First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | MCA Records MCA-52605First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | US | MCA Records MCA-52605First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | US | MCA Records MCA-23559First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1985 | US | MCA Records L33-17007First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Single · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Single · Promo |
| 1985 | US | MCA Records MCA-23559First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | US | MCA Records MCA-52605First year12" | 12" |
21 vinyl pressings of Make It Better (Forget About Me) are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-52605, released May 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-52605, MCA-23559, L33-17007, MCA 983) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MC 16697-PL3 M̶C̶-̶1̶6̶9̶1̶8̶-̶P̶L̶ ̶3̶ SLM △ 9729 Precision SM 1-1 and MC 16918-PL 3 SLM △ 9730 Precision SM 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.
