Vinyl pressings
by U2 · 1980
Boy was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 12 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.
ILPS 9646 A-2U SOUND CLINICSide A, Variant 1
ILPS 9646 B-1USide B, Variant 1
ILPS 9646 A-2U-1-2 DSide A, Variant 2
ILPS 9646 B-2U-1-1 DSide B, Variant 2
JONZSide A runout, etched, Variant 1 & 2
SOUND CLINICSide B runout, etched, Variant 1 & 2
ILPS 9646 A-2U 1 7Side A runout, stamped, Variant 1
ILPS 9646 B-1U 5 1Side B runout, stamped, Variant 1
ILPS 9646 A-2USide A runout, stamped
ILPS 9646 B-1USide B runout, stamped
JONZSide A runout, etched
SOUND CLINICSide B runout, etched
ILPS 9646 A-2U-1-1 DSide A runout
ILPS 9646 B-2U-1-1 DSide B runout
ILPS 9646-ASide A label
ILPS 9646-BSide B label
ILPS 9646 A - 2U 5 1Side A, Variant 1 stamped
ILPS 9646 B - 1U 10 2Side B, Variant 1 stamped
ILPS 9646 A - 2U 8 1 1Side A, Variant 2 stamped
ILPS 9646 B - 1U 8 1 2Side B, Variant 2 stamped
JONZSide A runout, etched, Variant 1 & 2
SOUND CLINICSide B runout, etched, Variant 1 & 2
ILPS 9646 A-2U 1 7Side A runout, stamped, Variant 1
ILPS 9646 B-1U 5 1Side B runout, stamped, Variant 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | Island Records XILP 9646First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Island Records XILP 9646First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Island Records XILP 9646First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Island Records XILP 9646First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | Island Records 6313 105First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Island Records 202 913-320 / Island Records 202 913First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Ireland | CBS CBS 84658First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Israel | Island Records BAN 129646 / Island Records ILPS 129646First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Island Records ILS-81395First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Island Records 202 913-320 / Island Records 202 913LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Island Records L 37517 / Island Records ILPS 9646First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Philippines | Island Records ILPS 9646First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Sweden | Island Records ILPS 9646First yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1980 | France | Island Records 6313 105First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Ireland | CBS S CBS 84658 / CBS CBS 84658First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Argentina | Island Records 842 296-1LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo |
| 1990 | Argentina | Island Records 842 296-1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1990 | Mexico | Island Records LPR 25027 / Island Records LPR-25027LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | Mexico | Island Records LPR 25027 / Island Records LPR 25027LP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1990 | US | Island Records 422-842 296-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1992 | Europe | Island Records 202.913LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1992 | UK | Island Records ILPS 9646 / Island Records 842296-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1995 | UK | Island Records ILPM 9646 / Island Records 842 296-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Netherlands | Island Records 530303-SLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 2008 | Europe | Mercury 1761671 / Island Records 1761671LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2008 | US | Island Records B0010843-01 / Interscope Records B0010843-01LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | USA & Europe | Island Records 0749627 / UMC 0749627LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Island Records 530 303-8LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Canada | Island Records ISL 9646LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Island Records ISL 9646LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition |
| ? | Canada | Island Records ISL 9646LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Island Records ISL 9646LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Island Records 202 913-320LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Island Records 202 913-320 / Island Records 202 913LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Island Records 202 913-320 / Island Records 202 913LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | France | Island Records 6313 105LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Greece | Island Records 71409LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Israel | Island Records BAN 129646 / Island Records ILPS 129646LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Netherlands | Island Records 202 913-320 / Island Records 202.913LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Portugal | Island Records 10.202913.50LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Portugal | Island Records 202.913 / Island Records 10.202913.37LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Portugal | Island Records 10.202913.40LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
120 vinyl pressings of Boy are listed here, from 28 countries, released between 1980 and 2020.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, France, Ireland, Scandinavia and more. One of them is Island Records ILPS 9646, released October 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ILPS 9646, 6313 105, S CBS 84658, L 37517) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ILPS 9646 A-2U SOUND CLINIC and ILPS 9646 B-1U. 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.
