Vinyl pressings
by U2 · 1989
When Love Comes To Town 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.
29 pressings came out in 1989, 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.
ST-IL-56685-6 [Allied 'a' logo] R-22637-6 AA △ 24294 1-1Runout side A
ST-IL-56442-4 [Allied 'a' logo] R-22674-4 AA △24354 1-1Runout side B
ST-IL-56685-ARLabel side A
ST-IL-55642-ARLabel side B
ST-DM-56878-56879Side 1, variant 1
ST-DM-56643-56644Side 2, variant 1
[SRC logo] ST DM 56[685 scratched out]878-56[642 scratched out]879-1[0 -RE-1 scratched out] 1-1Side 1, variant 2
STDM 56643-56644-1 1-1 [SRC logo]Side 2, variant 2
ST-IL-56685-7 1-1 AA [SRC logo]Runout side A [Variant 1]
ST-IL-56642-3 1-1 AA [SRC logo]Runout side B [Variant 1]
ST-IL-56685-1 1-1 AA [SRC logo]Runout side A [Variant 2]
ST-IL-56642-2 1-1 AA [SRC logo]Runout side B [Variant 2]
ST-DM-56878-56879-5 [Allied logo] B-34717-5 [triangle] 24379 1-1Side 1, etched
ST-DM-56643-56644-6 [Allied logo] B-3486 3-6 [triangle] 24562 1-1Side 2, etched
ST-IL-56685-SP
ST-IL-56685-SP
ST-IL--56685-7 1-1 AA [SRC logo]
ST-IL--56685-2 AA 1-1 [SRC logo]
ST-DM-56906-1 AA [SRC logo]Side A runout, etched (logo stamped)
ST-DM-56906-1 AA [SRC logo]Side B runout, etched (logo stamped)
ST-DM-56906-SPSide A label
ST-DM-56906-SPSide B label
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 | Australia & New Zealand | Island Records X 14679 / Festival Records X 14679First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1989 | Canada | Island Records IS 1226First year12" | 12" |
| 1989 | Canada | Island Records 97094First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Europe | Island Records 612 200First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1989 | Greece | Island Records 4903First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1989 | Ireland | Island Records IS 411First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Italy | Island Records ISX 411First year12" | 12" |
| 1989 | Italy | Island Records IS 411First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Italy | Island Records ISX 411First year12" | 12" |
| 1989 | Portugal | Island Records IS 411First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Spain | Island Records 612 200First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1989 | Spain | Island Records IS 411 / Island Records 1A 112 200First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | US | Island Records 7-99225First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1989 | US | Island Records DMD 1324First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | US | Island Records 0-96570First year12" | 12" |
29 vinyl pressings of When Love Comes To Town are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in US, UK, Europe, France and more. One of them is Island Records 7-99225.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7-99225, 0-96570, DMD 1324, DMD 1310) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-IL-56685-6 [Allied 'a' logo] R-22637-6 AA △ 24294 1-1 and ST-IL-56442-4 [Allied 'a' logo] R-22674-4 AA △24354 1-1. 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.
