UK
February 1985- Label and catalog number
- Island Records ISP220
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Shape, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
IS+220+A GRAEMESide A runout
IS+220+BSide B runout
ISP220 ASide A label
ISP220 BSide B label
Vinyl pressings
The Unforgettable Fire
by U2 · 1985
42 pressings13 countriesPop RockRock
The Unforgettable Fire 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.
How to spot a first pressing of The Unforgettable Fire
34 pressings came out in 1985, 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.
UK
February 1985- Label and catalog number
- Island Records ISP220
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Uncut
UK
April 1985- Label and catalog number
- Island Records ISD 220
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, EP, Single, Limited Edition · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
ISD 2201 A-1 U-1-1 ⇀ 4 GRAEMERunout, side A - stamped / etched, variant 1
ISD 2201 B-2U-1-1 ⇀ x 1Runout, side B - stamped, variant 1
ISD 2202 A-2U-1-2 ⇀ 4Runout, side C - stamped, variant 1
ISD 2202 B-1U-1- 3 ⇀ 12Runout, side D - stamped, variant 1
UK
April 22, 1985- Label and catalog number
- Island Records IS220Island Records IS 220
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Paper Labels
- Runout / matrix
IS 220 A-1U-1-1-A GRAEMERunout groove, side A Variant 1
IS220 AA-2U-1-1-3Runout groove, side AA Variant 1
IS 220 A-1U-1-1-X1 GRAEMERunout groove, side A Variant 2
IS220 AA-2U-1-1- X1Runout groove, side AA Variant 2
UK
April 22, 1985- Label and catalog number
- Island Records IS220Island Records IS 220
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Paper Labels
- Runout / matrix
IS 220 A-1U-1-2‧‧ 1 2 GRAEMERunout side A variant 1
IS220 AA-2U-1-2‧‧ 1 3Runout side B variant 1
IS 220 A-1U-1-1⇀12 GRAEMERunout side A variant 2
IS 220 AA-2U-1-1↽14Runout side B variant 2
UK
1985- Label and catalog number
- Island Records 12 IS 220Island Records 12 IS220
- Format
- 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
12IS 220 A - 1U - 1 - 1 1 GRAEMESide A runout, variant 1
12 IS 220 B - 4U - 1 - 2 1Side B runout, variant 1
12IS 220 A-1U-1-2 7 GRAEMESide A runout, variant 2
12 IS 220 B-4U-1-1-1Side B runout, variant 2
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 42 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s36 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | Island Records L 18002 / Island Records L-18002First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1985 | Australia | Island Records K-9561First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Australia | Island Records L-18002 / Island Records L 18002First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, Misprint | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, Misprint |
| 1985 | Australia | Island Records L 18002 / Island Records L-18002First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mispress, Misprint, White Label | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mispress, Misprint, White Label |
| 1985 | Canada | Island Records ISP-1026 / Island Records ISP 1026First year12", Mini-Album | 12", Mini-Album |
| 1985 | Europe | Island Records 107 183-100 / Island Records 107 183First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Island Records 601 759First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Island Records 601 759-213 / Island Records 601 759First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Island Records 601 759-213 / Island Records 601 759First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Europe | Island Records 601 759First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | Island Records 880 716-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Greece | Island Records 062-VG 4002-ZFirst year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Ireland | CBS CBS 12 6185First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Italy | Island Records ISX 220First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Island Records L 20046 / Island Records 121S220First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Misprint | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Misprint |
Year unknown6 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Island Records ISM 1026 / Island Records ISM-102612", Mini-Album, Reissue | 12", Mini-Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Island Records ISM 102612", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Island Records ISM 102612", Mini-Album, Reissue | 12", Mini-Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Island Records 601 75912", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Reissue |
| ? | France | Island Records 880 716-112", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| ? | UK | Island Records IS220 / Island Records IS 2207", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
Tracklist
- A1The Three Sunrises3:52
- A2The Unforgettable Fire4:56
- B1A Sort Of Homecoming4:06
- B2Love Comes Tumbling4:45
- B3Bass Trap5:17
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of The Unforgettable Fire are there?
42 vinyl pressings of The Unforgettable Fire are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
When was The Unforgettable Fire first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, Australia, Ireland, France and more. One of them is Island Records ISP220, released February 1985.
How do I tell if my copy of The Unforgettable Fire is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ISP220, ISD 220, IS220, 12 IS 220) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, IS+220+A GRAEME and IS+220+B. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is The Unforgettable 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.
