Vinyl pressings
by Yazz · 1988
The Only Way Is Up 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.
57 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 15 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.
BLR-4T A2 PAG ADRENALINRunout side A, etched, variant 1
BLR-4T B2 PAG ADRENALINRunout side B, etched, variant 1
BLR-4T A2-1-3 PAG ADRENALIN-Runout side A, etched, variant 2
BLR-4T B2-1-3 PAG ADRENALIN-Runout side B, etched, variant 2
BLR 4TR-A1 DAMONTA Side Runout
BLR 4TR-B1 DAMONTB Side Runout
BLR 4 TP ARunout Side A [Etched]
BLR 4 TP BRunout Side B [Etched]
BLR-4T A2(2 scratched out)3 Pwv / DeanRunout Side A [Etched]
BLR-4T B3Runout Side B [Etched]
BLR-4T A2 PAG DAMONT ADRENALIN.A side runout
BLR-4T B2 PAG DAMONT ADRENALIN.B side runout
BLR-4A3-1-#Q3 PAG ADRENALIN PHILA-Side run-out, etched / stamped [#=scratch-out]
BLR-4B1-1-Q3 PAG ADRENALINB-Side run-out, etched / stamped
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 | Australia | CBS 652981 7 / Big Life 652981 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Australia | CBS 652981 7 / Big Life 652981 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Australia | CBS 652981 7 / Big Life 652981 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Belgium | Big Life BLR 12128First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Belgium | Big Life CCUT 1228 / Ahead Of Our Time CCUT 1228First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1988 | Belgium | Big Life CCUT 28First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Canada | Elektra 96 67320First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1988 | Canada | Elektra 96 93657First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1988 | Canada | Elektra PRO 93657First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | France | Fontana 870 698-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | France | Fontana 870 698-1 / Big Life 870 698-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1988 | France | Fontana 870 698-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1988 | France | Fontana 870 698-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Germany | Blow Up INT 125.749First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single · Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1988 | Germany | Blow Up INT 125.749First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | CBS 652981 6 / Big Life 652981 612", 45 RPM, Promo, White Label, Stereo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo, White Label, Stereo · Promo |
59 vinyl pressings of The Only Way Is Up are listed here, from 15 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, US, Germany, Scandinavia and more. One of them is Big Life BLR 4T, released July 11, 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BLR 4T, BLR 4R, BLR 4 TP, BLR 4) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BLR-4T A2 PAG ADRENALIN and BLR-4T B2 PAG ADRENALIN. 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.
