UK
June 18, 1981- Label and catalog number
- Island Records WIP6679
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, White Label
- Runout / matrix
WIP 56791 A-5 U JONZSide A runout
WIP 56791 B-1 USide B runout
Vinyl pressings
Fire
by U2 · 1981
20 pressings6 countriesPop RockRock
Fire was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. 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 Fire
10 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 4 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
July 1981- Label and catalog number
- Island Records WIP 6679
- Format
- 7", Single, 45 RPM
- Runout / matrix
WIP 66791 A-5UA Side runout, variant 1
WIP 66791 B-1UB Side runout, variant 1
WIP 66791 A-5U 10 JONZ 1Side A runout, variant 2
WIP 66791 B-1U 12 1Side B runout, variant 2
UK
July 1981- Label and catalog number
- Island Records U WIP 6679
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single
- Runout / matrix
WIP 66791 A-5 U JonzSide A runout, variant 1
WIP 66791 B-1 USide B runout, variant 1
WIP 66792 A-2 USide C runout, variant 1
WIP 66792 B-2 USide D runout, variant 1
UK
1981- Label and catalog number
- Island Records WIP66792
- Format
- 7", White Label
- Runout / matrix
LPFBSide C runout
WIP66792 B-1USide D runout
UK
July 1981- Label and catalog number
- Island Records WIP 6679
- Format
- 7", Promo
- Runout / matrix
WIP 66791 A DJ-3U JONZ GRunout side A
2 LPFB 113Runout side B
WIP 6679 1ALabel side A
Ireland
July 1981- Label and catalog number
- CBS CBSA 1376CBS CBS A1376
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · 1st Issue
- Runout / matrix
CBS A 1376 ASide A label
CBS A 1376 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 20 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s15 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Ireland | CBS CBSA 1376 / CBS CBS 1376X7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1981 | Ireland | CBS CBSA 1376 / CBS CBS 1376X7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1981 | Ireland | CBS CBSA 1376 / CBS CBS 1376X7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Island Records K 8393 / Island Records WIP 6679First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Island Records WIP66792First year7", White Label | 7", White Label |
| 1981 | UK | Island Records WIP6679First year7", 45 RPM, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1981 | Australia | Island Records K-8393 / Island Records WIP 6679First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Ireland | CBS CBSA 1376 / CBS CBS A1376First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Ireland | CBS CBS A1376 / CBS CBSA 1376First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Ireland | CBS CBSA 1376 / CBS CBS A1376First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Island Records WIP 6679First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | Island Records U WIP 6679First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Island Records WIP 6679First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Ireland | CBS CBSA 1376 / CBS CBS 1376X7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1986 | Ireland | CBS CBSA 1376 / CBS CBS 1376X7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
2020s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | UK, Europe & US | Island Records 3534916 / UMC 353491612", 45 RPM, EP, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Remastered · Limited, Picture disc | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Remastered · Limited, Picture disc |
Year unknown4 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Ireland | CBS CBSA 1376 / CBS CBS 1376X7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Ireland | CBS CBSA 1376 / CBS CBS 1376X7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | Ireland | CBS CBSA 1376 / CBS CBS 1376X7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | South Africa | Island Records WIP 6616 / Island Records WIP 66797", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
Tracklist
- AFire3:50
- BJ. Swallo2:20
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Fire are there?
20 vinyl pressings of Fire are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1981 and 2021.
When was Fire first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand. One of them is Island Records WIP6679, released June 18, 1981.
How do I tell if my copy of Fire is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WIP6679, WIP 6679, U WIP 6679, WIP66792) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WIP 56791 A-5 U JONZ and WIP 56791 B-1 U. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Fire 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.
