Vinyl pressings
by Tom Petty · 1989
Free Fallin' was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1989, 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.
MCA 1381 A-1U-1-Q2 BILBO. TAPEONERunout side A
MCA 1381 B-1U-1- Q2 BILBO. TAPEONERunout side B
MCA 1381ALabel side A
MCA 1381BLabel side B
BILBO TAPE ONE MCA 1381 A-1U-1-1Runout side A
BILBO TAPE ONE MCA 1381 B-1U-1-1Runout side B
MCA 1381ALabel side A
MCA 1381BLabel side B
MCAT 1381 A-1U-1- 1 BILBO TAPEONERunout side A
WMCAT 1381 B-1U-1- I BILBO TAPEONERunout side B
WMCAT 1381 ALabel side A
WMCAT 1381 BLabel side B
MC 25673 FDS-2 I ⧈-G-⧈Runout A, etched variant 1
MC 30399 FDS-1 4 ⧈-G-⧈Runout B, etched variant 1
MC 25673 FDS-1 ⧈-G-⧈Runout A, etched variant 2
MC 30399 FDS-1 ⧈-G-⧈Runout B, etched variant 2
MC-25673 FDS-1Matrix Etched both sides
⧈-G-⧈Pressing Plant ID
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Ecuador | MCA Records 45-33581First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Europe | MCA Records 257 309-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Europe | MCA Records 257 309-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox |
| 1989 | Germany | MCA Records 257 308-0 LBFirst year12" | 12" |
| 1989 | Spain | MCA Records 1.212First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | UK | MCA Records MCAT 1381First year12" | 12" |
| 1989 | UK | MCA Records MCA 1381First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK | MCA Records WMCAT 1381First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Promo · Promo, Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Promo · Promo, Limited |
| 1989 | US | MCA Records MCA-53748First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | US | MCA Records MCA-53748First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Canada | MCA Records 53748First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | UK | MCA Records MCAB 1381 / MCA Records MCA 1381First year7", Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered | 7", Limited Edition, Numbered · Limited, Numbered |
| 1989 | Australia | MCA Records 7-53748First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Mexico | MCA Records PRO 4257", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
14 vinyl pressings of Free Fallin' are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in UK, US, Australia, Ecuador and more. One of them is MCA Records MCAB 1381, released November 6, 1989.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCAB 1381, MCAT 1381, MCA 1381, WMCAT 1381) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA 1381 A-1U-1-Q2 BILBO. TAPEONE and MCA 1381 B-1U-1- Q2 BILBO. TAPEONE. 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.
