Vinyl pressings
by Yello · 1985
Desire 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.
12 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 6 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.
880 895 1 1Y * ARRIBA TOWNHOUSE ARunout A, Variation 1
880 895 1 2Y * TOWNHOUS ARREBIS ARunout B, Variation 1
880 895 1 1Y ARRIBA TOWNHOUSE Z ARunout A, Variation 2
880 895 1 2Y TOWNHOUS ARREBIS Z ARunout B, Variation 2
880 895 7 1W 2 TOWNHOUSERunout side A, variant 1
880 895 7 2W TOWNHOUSERunout side B, variant 1
880 895 7 1W B 1A TOWNHOUSERunout side A, variant 2
880 895 7 2W XX 1A C TOWNHOUSERunout side B, variant 2
EKR-17T-A1 1 MT . TOWNHOUSE DAMONT DRunout side A, Variant 1
EKR-17T-B1 .1 MT . ARREBIS DAMONT TOWNHOUSE FRunout side B, Variant 1
EKR-17T-A1 1 MT . TOWNHOUSE DAMONT GRunout side A, Variant 2
EKR-17T-B1 . 1 MT . ARREBIS DAMONT TOWNHOUSE BRunout side B, Variant 2
EKR-17T-A1 1 MT . TOWNHOUSE DAMONT DRunout side A, variant 1
EKR-17T-B1 . 1 MT . ARREBIS DAMONT TOWNHOUSE FRunout side B, variant 1
SAM-243.A-2 1 ✰ MT ✰ TOWNHOUSE DAMONT CRunout Side C, variant 1
SAM-243.B-1 1 ✰ MT ✰ TOWNHOUSE DAMONT DRunout Side D, variant 1
EKR-17-A1 TOWNHOUSE __ MT 1 DAMONT FRunout side A, variant 1
EKR-17-B1 TOWNHOUSE __ MT 1 DAMONT ARunout side B, variant 1
EKR-17-A1 TOWNHOUSE __ MT. 1 DAMONT ERunout side A, variant 2
EKR-17-B1 TOWNHOUSE __ MT. 1 DAMONT ERunout side B, variant 2
EKR-17T-A1 1 MT . TOWNHOUSE DAMONT BRunout side A
EKR-17T-B1 . 1 MT . ARREBIS DAMONT TOWNHOUSE BRunout side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | Elektra 7-69614First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Australia | Elektra 7-69614First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Vertigo 880 895-1First year12", 45 RPM, EP | 12", 45 RPM, EP |
| 1985 | France | Polydor 883 346-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | France | Polydor 883 346-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Vertigo 880 895-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | Elektra EKR 17 / Elektra EKR17First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | Elektra EKR 17 TFirst year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | UK | Elektra EKR 177", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1985 | Germany | Vertigo 880 895-1 / Vertigo 880 895-1 QFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Germany | Vertigo 880 895-7 / Vertigo 880 895-7 QFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | Elektra EKR 17T / Elektra 966 887-0First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | Elektra EKR 17TF / Elektra EKR 17TFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
13 vinyl pressings of Desire are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in Germany, UK, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is Vertigo 880 895-1, released June 11, 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 880 895-1, 880 895-7, EKR 17T, EKR 17TF) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 880 895 1 1Y * ARRIBA TOWNHOUSE A and 880 895 1 2Y * TOWNHOUS ARREBIS A. 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.
