Vinyl pressings
by Yello · 1985
Vicious Games 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.
34 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 13 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.
EKR 1 TA//1▽420 H 1 1 2Runout side A, variant 1
EKR 1 T B//1▽420 H 1 1 1Runout side B, variant 1
EKR 1 TA//1▽420 H 1 1 3Runout side A, variant 2
EKR 1 T B//1▽420 H 1 1 3Runout side B, variant 2
EKR 1 A//1 ▽ 420 H 1 1 2Runout side A
EKR 1 B//1 ▽ 420 H 1 1 2Runout side B
EKR 1 A//1 ▽420 H 1 1 5Runout side A
EKR 1 B//1 ▽420 H 1 1 6Runout side B
EKR 1 TA//1▽ 420 H 1 1 2Runout side A [stamped]
EKR 1 T B//1▽420 H 1 1 2Runout side B [stamped]
[Etched] ST ED66919 A -1 1-1 [Stamped] SRC ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Runout side A
[Etched] ST ED66919 B-1 1-1 [Stamped] ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. SRCRunout side B
ST-ED-66919-A-SPLabel side A
ST-ED-66919-B-SPLabel side B
ST ED 66919A-2 O B-20740-A2 SLM ∆ 8913 1-1 ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Runout side A
ST ED 66919B-2 O B-20741-B2 SLM ∆ 8913-X 1-1 ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Runout side B
ST-ED-66919-A-ARLabel side A
ST-ED-66919-B-ARLabel 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 7-69656First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Australia | Elektra 0.66919 / Elektra 0-66919First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Canada | Elektra 96 69190First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1985 | Canada | Elektra 96 96567First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Canada | Elektra 96 96567First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Canada | Elektra 96 69190First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1985 | Europe | Mercury 880 574-7 / Vertigo 880 574-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Europe | Vertigo 880 574-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | Polydor 881 746-1 / Polydor 881 746 1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | France | Polydor 881 749-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Italy | Vertigo 880 574-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Vertigo 880 574-1First year12", 45 RPM, EP, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Mercury 880 574-1First year12", 45 RPM, EP, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Elektra EKR 1 T / Elektra 966 918-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Philippines | Vertigo VTG-6029 / Vertigo 880 574-7First year7" | 7" |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | US | Smash Records 162-440 812-1DJ12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1993 | US | Smash Records 162-440 812-112", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
40 vinyl pressings of Vicious Games are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1985 and 1993.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Germany, Australia and more. One of them is Elektra EKR 1T.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EKR 1T, EKR 1, EKR 1 T, 0-66919) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EKR 1 TA//1▽420 H 1 1 2 and EKR 1 T B//1▽420 H 1 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.
