Vinyl pressings
by Will To Power · 1988
Say It's Gonna Rain 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.
9 pressings came out in 1988, 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.
XSS07589A-1A G 1 VLADO B6A-Side Runout Etching, variant 1
XSS07589B-1A G 1 VLADO A3B-Side Runout Etching, variant 1
XSS07589A-1A ᴱ G1 VLADO A7A-Side Runout Etching exc ᴱ stamped, variant 2
XSS07589B-1A ᴱ G1 B4 VLADOB-Side Runout Etching exc ᴱ stamped, variant 2
XSS-177734-C2 E G1 FULLERSOUND MF C2A-side runout, variant 1
XSS-177735-C2 G1 FULLERSOUND MF A4B-side runout, variant 1
XSS-177734-C2 E G1 FULLERSOUND MF C4A-side runout, variant 2
XSS-177735-C2 M G1 FULLERSOUND MF A9B-side runout, variant 2
XSS-177891-C1 D G1 B1 FULLERSOUND MFA-Side Runout Etching (D FULLERSOUND Stamped)
XSS-17735- ̷-̷2̷ C2 D G1 B4 FULLERSOUND MFB-Side Runout Etching (D FULLERSOUND Stamped)
XSS07589A-1A G| ᴠʟᴀᴅᴏ A2A-Side Runout Etching
XSS07589B-1A G| A2 ᴠʟᴀᴅᴏB-Side Runout Etching
XSS 7589AA-Side Label
XSS 7589AB-Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Canada | Epic 12EXP-07589First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1988 | Europe | Epic EPC 651485 6First year12", Maxi-Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1988 | Japan | Epic QY･3P-90124First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | US | Epic 49 07589First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1988 | US | Epic EAS 1142First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | US | Epic 49 07589First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1988 | US | Epic 34-07908First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | US | Epic 34-07908First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | US | Epic 49 7589First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Advance, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Advance, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Philippines | Epic QELEP-18180 / Epic 49 0758912", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
10 vinyl pressings of Say It's Gonna Rain are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1988 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, Canada, Europe, Japan. One of them is Epic 49 07589.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 49 07589, 34-07908, EAS 1142, 49 7589) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XSS07589A-1A G 1 VLADO B6 and XSS07589B-1A G 1 VLADO A3. 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.
