Vinyl pressings
by Yello · 1988
Tied 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.
18 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 9 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.
EXP [A̶G̶I̶ ̶l̶o̶g̶o̶] 88 11 YELLO2 A3 SNA TOWNHOUSERunout side A
EXP [A̶G̶I̶ ̶l̶o̶g̶o̶] 88 11 YELLO 2 B3 SNA TOWNHOUSERunout side B
[Stamped] YELLO 2 A-1U-1- 1 [Etched] TOWNHOUSERunout Side A
[Stamped] YELLO 2B-1U-1- 1 [Etched] TOWNHOUSERunout Side B
YELLR 212 A-1U-1-1 ƱTOPIA· MS·Runout A Side Stamped Etched
YELLR 212 B-1U-1-1 ƱTOPIA·MS.Runout B Side Stamped Etched
YELLO 212 A-1U-1-1 TOWNHOUSERunout side A
YELLO 212 B-1U-1-1 TOWNHOUSERunout side B
[Stamped] YELLO 2 A-2U-1- [Etched] Q1 ƱTOPIA MS.Runout side A
[Stamped] YELLO 2B-1U-1- Q3 [Etched] TOWNHOUSERunout side B
YELLO 2ALabel side A
YELLO 2BLabel side B
YDJ 5 A-1U-1-1 UTOPIA MS.Runout side A
YDJ 5 B-2U-1-1 UTOPIA MS.Runout side B
YDJ5ALabel side A
YDJ5BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australasia | Mercury 872 367-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Australasia | Mercury 872 366-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Canada | Vertigo 872 481-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1988 | South Africa | Fontana PROMO 2First year7", Promo, 45 RPM, Single · Promo | 7", Promo, 45 RPM, Single · Promo |
| 1988 | Spain | Mercury 872 367-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | UK | Mercury YDJ 5First year12", Promo, 45 RPM, Single · Promo | 12", Promo, 45 RPM, Single · Promo |
| 1988 | UK | Mercury YDJ 4First year12", Promo, 45 RPM, Single · Promo | 12", Promo, 45 RPM, Single · Promo |
| 1988 | UK | Mercury FLAG DJ1First year12", 45 RPM, Promo, Sampler · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo, Sampler · Promo |
| 1988 | UK & Europe | Mercury YELLO 2 / Mercury 872 366-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | US | Mercury Pro 768-1 / Mercury PRO 768-1First year12", Promo, Limited Edition, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo, Limited | 12", Promo, Limited Edition, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo, Limited |
| 1988 | US | Mercury PRO-76812", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1988 | Europe | Mercury YELLO 212 / Mercury 872 367-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Europe | Mercury 872 367-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Mercury 872 366-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | France | Barclay 872 366-7 / Mercury 872 366-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
22 vinyl pressings of Tied Up are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1988 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK & Europe, UK, US, Europe and more. One of them is Mercury YELLO 2, released November 28, 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use YELLO 2, YELLR 212, YELLO 212, YDJ 5) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EXP [A̶G̶I̶ ̶l̶o̶g̶o̶] 88 11 YELLO2 A3 SNA TOWNHOUSE and EXP [A̶G̶I̶ ̶l̶o̶g̶o̶] 88 11 YELLO 2 B3 SNA TOWNHOUSE. 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.
