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Data as of Jun 16, 2026
The Rolling Stones – Tattoo You
1981 · UK · Rolling Stones Records · Vinyl LP Album
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Pressing identification
Match these against your copy to confirm the exact pressing.
- Matrix / runout
- CUNS 39114 A-1MAJCUNS 39114 B-3CUNS 39114 A-3CUNS 39114 B-2CUNS 39114 A-2CUNS 39114 B-5
- Other
- OC 064 - 64 533
- Manufactured By
- EMI Records Ltd.
- Recorded At
- Studio Pathé Marconi EMI
- Mastered At
- Masterdisk
- Pressed By
- EMI Records
- Recorded At
- Compass Point Studios
Specifications
- Artist
- The Rolling Stones
- Genre
- Rock
- Style
- Blues Rock, Pop Rock, Classic Rock
- Year
- 1981
- Label
- Rolling Stones Records
- Catalog number
- CUNS 39114
- Country
- UK
Tracklist
- A1Start Me Up3:31
- A2Hang Fire2:20
- A3Slave6:34
- A4Little T & A3:23
- A5Black Limousine3:31
- A6Neighbours3:30
- B1Worried About You5:16
- B2Tops3:45
- B3Heaven4:21
- B4No Use In Crying3:24
- B5Waiting On A Friend4:34
- Engineer [Recording], Producer [Associate Producer]
- Chris Kimsey
- Producer
- The Glimmer Twins
- Mastered By
- Bob Ludwig
- Mixed By, Remix
- Bob Clearmountain
- Written-By
- Jagger-Richards
- Written-By
- Ron Wood
About this record
The UK pressing of Tattoo You on Rolling Stones Records (catalogue CUNS 39114) was manufactured by EMI Records Ltd. in 1981, and the dead-wax matrix CUNS 39114 A-1 confirms the EMI plant origin. Demand significantly outpaces supply: 1276 collectors want this pressing against 9452 who own one, a ratio that shapes pricing across all grades.
What drives its value
The price spread on this 1981 UK EMI pressing reflects its status as the original domestic release. Community ownership stands at 9452 copies against 1276 active want-list entries, indicating steady availability but persistent collector interest.
The Rolling Stones Records label (with the band credited as "Rolling Stones" on the front and "The Rolling Stones" on the labels) and the CUNS 39114 catalogue number are the markers of this specific pressing. Condition drives value: the gap between Mint and VG grades determines whether a copy commands premium or mid-market pricing.
The 11-track album was pressed at EMI Records Ltd., and the printed inner sleeve with rounded corners is a physical identifier of this UK variant. No barcode appears on this issue, consistent with 1981 UK pressing practice.
How to appraise this pressing
Confirm this pressing by the catalogue number CUNS 39114 and the secondary catalogue OC 064-64 533 printed on the label. The dead-wax matrix CUNS 39114 A-1 (side A) and CUNS 39114 B-3 (side B) verify the EMI Records Ltd. pressing plant.
The label credit reads "Rolling Stones" on the front cover but "The Rolling Stones" on both label surfaces—this inconsistency is specific to this UK release. The printed inner sleeve has rounded corners, a production detail absent from later reissues.
Absence of a barcode confirms the 1981 UK origin. Grade by examining the vinyl surface under light: check the grooves for hairline scratches and the label for seam splits or foxing.
Play-test both sides to detect ticks or pops that indicate groove wear. The matrix runout CUNS 39114 A-3 may also appear on some copies, confirming the same pressing plant.
Further reading: grading a record, what makes a pressing valuable.
Listen
Hear the album before you buy.
Official videos via YouTube.
Release notes
Associate Producer and Recording Engineer Chris Kimsey for Wonder Knob Ltd.
Printed inner sleeve with rounded corners.
The band's name is given as: Rolling Stones [on front] The Rolling Stones [on labels]
Notes sourced from the Discogs database.
Frequently asked
How do I know this is the original 1981 UK pressing and not a reissue?
Check the catalogue number: CUNS 39114 is the original UK issue. The dead-wax matrix CUNS 39114 A-1 or CUNS 39114 B-3 confirms EMI Records Ltd. as the pressing plant. The absence of a barcode is consistent with 1981 UK vinyl. The printed inner sleeve with rounded corners is a production feature of this first pressing. Later reissues carry different catalogue numbers and barcode formats.
What is the demand-to-supply ratio for this pressing?
Community data shows 9452 collectors own this pressing and 1276 have it on their want list. This 7-to-1 ownership ratio indicates the pressing is not scarce, but the persistent want-list activity reflects ongoing collector interest in original UK copies. The ratio suggests steady market availability with moderate competition among buyers.
Why does the label say both 'Rolling Stones' and 'The Rolling Stones'?
The front cover credits the band as "Rolling Stones," but both label surfaces print "The Rolling Stones." This inconsistency is a documented feature of the 1981 UK Rolling Stones Records pressing CUNS 39114 and does not indicate a pressing error or variant—it is the standard label design for this release.
What role did Chris Kimsey play in this album?
Chris Kimsey served as Associate Producer and Recording Engineer for Wonder Knob Ltd. on Tattoo You. His credit appears in the release notes and on the inner sleeve of this UK pressing, documenting his studio contribution to the 11-track album.
How many tracks are on this pressing?
The 1981 UK pressing contains 11 tracks across both sides. The track count is consistent across all original pressings of Tattoo You and is a standard reference point for verifying completeness of the album.