Vinyl pressings
by Tracy Chapman · 1988
Fast Car was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 11 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.
R / S Alsdorf 969412-7-A HRunout side A, variant 1
R / S Alsdorf 969412-7-BRunout side B, variant 1
R / S Alsdorf 969412-7-A 20 HRunout side A, variant 2
R / S Alsdorf 969412-7-BRunout side B, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 969412-7-A x=EKR-73-7-Ax H 13Side A runout
R/S Alsdorf 969412-7-B EKR-73-B 39Side B runout
R/S Alsdorf 969412-7-Axx = EKR-73-Axx 4 HRunout side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 969412-7-B EKR-73-B 47Runout side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 969412-7-Axx = EKR-73-Axx H 7Runout side A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 969412-7-B EKR-73-B 33Runout side B, variant 2
R / S Alsdorf 966758-0-ARunout side A
R / S Alsdorf 966758-0-BRunout side B
EKR-73T-A1 MT.1 DAMONT RVariant 1 Runout side A
EKR-73T-B1 MT.1 DAMONT YVariant 1 Runout side B
EKR-73T-A1 MT. 1 DAMONT TVariant 2 Runout side A
EKR-73T-B1 MT. 1 DAMONT JVariant 2 Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australia | Elektra 7-69412First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Canada | Elektra 96 94127First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Canada | Elektra PRO 94127First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Canada | Elektra 96 94127First year7", 45 RPM · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM · Colored vinyl |
| 1988 | Ecuador | Elektra 45-85047First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Europe | Elektra 969 412-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Elektra 966 758-0 / Elektra EKR 73 TFirst year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1988 | Europe | Elektra EKR 73 / Elektra 969 412-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Elektra 969 412-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Elektra 966 758-0 / Elektra EKR 73 TFirst year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1988 | Mexico | Elektra PRO 290First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Philippines | Elektra ER-139 / Elektra 7-69412First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Portugal | Elektra 9694127First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Spain | Elektra 941First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | UK | Elektra EKR 73T / Elektra 966 758-0First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Germany | Not On Label (Tracy Chapman) FASTX12", Single Sided, Unofficial Release, White Label · Unofficial | 12", Single Sided, Unofficial Release, White Label · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | US | Elektra ST-ED-528012", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
30 vinyl pressings of Fast Car are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1988 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in Europe, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is Elektra 969 412-7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 969 412-7, 966 758-0, EKR 73, EKR 73T) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R / S Alsdorf 969412-7-A H and R / S Alsdorf 969412-7-B. 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.
