Ghostbusters (song)

"Ghostbusters"
Single by Ray Parker Jr.
from the album Ghostbusters: Original Soundtrack Album
Released May 1984 (U.S.)
August 13, 1984 (UK)
Recorded 1983
Genre Dance-pop[1]
Length 4:04
Label Arista
Writer(s) Ray Parker Jr.
Producer(s) Ray Parker Jr.
Ray Parker Jr. singles chronology
"Woman Out of Control"
(1984)		 "Ghostbusters"
(1984)		 "Jamie"
(1984)

"Ghostbusters" is a song recorded by Ray Parker Jr. as the theme to the film of the same name starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson. Debuting at #68 on June 16, 1984, the song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on August 11, 1984, staying there for three weeks, and at number two on the UK Singles Chart on September 16, 1984, staying there for three weeks. The song re-entered the UK Top 75 on November 2, 2008, at No. 49.

It was nominated at the 57th Academy Awards for Best Original Song, but lost to Stevie Wonder's "I Just Called to Say I Love You".

Background

According to Parker, he was approached by the film's producers to create a theme song for the film, though he only had a few days to do so and the film's title seemed impossible to include in any lyrics. However, when watching television late at night, Parker saw a cheap commercial for a local service that reminded him that the film had a similar commercial featured for the fictional business. This inspired him to write the song as a pseudo-advertising jingle that the business could have commissioned as a promotion. Huey Lewis sued Parker over the similarities between "Ghostbusters" and Lewis' "I Want a New Drug". The matter was settled out of court.[2]

Lindsey Buckingham claims to have been approached to write the Ghostbusters theme based on his successful contribution to Harold Ramis's National Lampoon's Vacation (the song "Holiday Road"). He turned down the opportunity as he did not want to be known as a soundtrack artist. He mentions this on the "Words & Music" interview disc.

Music video

The music video for the song was directed by the same director as the Ghostbusters film, Ivan Reitman, and produced by Jeffrey Abelson. It features a young woman, played by actress Cindy Harrell,[3] who is haunted by a ghost portrayed by Parker, roaming a nearly all-black house interior with vibrant neon designs outlining the sparse architectural and industrial features until the woman finally calls the service. It also contains footage from the film and features cameos from many celebrities of the day, including Chevy Chase, Irene Cara, John Candy, Melissa Gilbert, Ollie E. Brown, Jeffrey Tambor, George Wendt, Al Franken, Danny DeVito, Carly Simon, Peter Falk, and Teri Garr; all of whom exclaim the song's "Ghostbusters!" refrain when shown. Chase appears again after Garr, but chokes on his cigarette when he tries to exclaim "Ghostbusters!"; Franken also pops up in the house before the separately framed cameos begin.

The video concludes with Parker and the stars of the film, in full Ghostbuster costume, dancing down the streets of New York City. The Ghostbusters also perform the same dance in the closing credits to the Real Ghostbusters cartoon series as well as in a trailer for the 2009 Ghostbusters video game.

Lawsuit

When the theme song of Ghostbusters was released, Huey Lewis sued Ray Parker Jr. for plagiarism, stating that Parker's song was too similar to "I Want a New Drug". Lewis had been approached to compose the main theme song for the film, but had to decline because of his work on the soundtrack for Back to the Future.[4][5] The two parties settled out of court. Details of the settlement (specifically, that Columbia Pictures paid Lewis a settlement) were confidential until 2001, when Lewis commented on the payment in an episode of VH1's Behind the Music. Parker subsequently sued Lewis for breaching confidentiality.[6]

In popular culture

The song is referenced in both the films and the cartoon series.

The song appears in Ghostbusters: The Video Game. It is played fully in the end credits of the game (on the Wii, PlayStation 2, and PSP versions), and on the PS3 Cross Menu Bar screen when a user is on the disc icon for more than 3 seconds.

The sketch comedy series Key & Peele parodied the song in a 2015 sketch in which Ray Parker Jr. advertises a CD box set, Ray Parker Jr.'s Greatest Hits, consisting of theme songs he wrote and unsuccessfully submitted for other movies, all done with the combination of literal lyrics and uptempo music of "Ghostbusters".[7]

Track listing

  1. "Ghostbusters" — 3:46
  2. "Ghostbusters" (instrumental) — 4:03

Source:[8]

The slightly longer instrumental version contains two extra sections with additional instrumentation, which aren't present the vocal version. One of these sections gives the song a proper ending, unlike the vocal version which fades out.

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (1984–85) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) 2
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[9] 8
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[10] 1
Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary[11] 6
Canadian RPM Top Singles[12] 1
Canadian The Record[13] 1
France (SNEP)[14] 1
Germany (Official German Charts)[15] 4
Irish Singles Chart[16] 4
Italy (FIMI)[17] 8
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[18] 4
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[19] 5
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[20] 2
Norway (VG-lista)[21] 2
South African Chart[22] 1
Spain (AFYVE)[23] 1
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[24] 2
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[25] 3
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[26] 2
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[27] 1
U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary[27] 9
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play[27] 6
U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles[27] 1
Chart (2005) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot Digital Songs[27] 46
Chart (2006) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot RingMasters[27] 19
Chart (2007) Peak
position
UK (Official Charts Company)[26] 70
Hot Canadian Digital Singles[27] 25
Chart (2008) Peak
position
UK (Official Charts Company)[26] 49
Chart (2009) Peak
position
UK (Official Charts Company)[26] 57
Chart (2010) Peak
position
UK (Official Charts Company)[26] 75
Chart (2012) Peak
position
UK (Official Charts Company)[26] 63
End of year chart (1984) Position
Switzerland (Swiss Hitparade)[28] 12

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/Sales
Canada (Music Canada)[29] Platinum 100,000^
France (SNEP)[30] Platinum 1,160,000[31]
United Kingdom (BPI)[32] Gold 1,110,000[33]
United States (RIAA)[34] Gold 1,000,000
Total available sales: 3,350,000

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone

Preceded by
"When Doves Cry" by Prince		 Billboard Hot 100 number-one single
August 11, 1984 - August 25, 1984 (3 weeks) 		Succeeded by
"What's Love Got to Do with It" by Tina Turner
Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks number-one single
August 25, 1984 - September 1, 1984 (2 weeks) 		Succeeded by
"Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)" by Billy Ocean
Canadian RPM Singles Chart number-one single
August 25, 1984 - September 1, 1984 (2 weeks) 		Succeeded by
"What's Love Got to Do with It" by Tina Turner
Preceded by
"I Just Called to Say I Love You" by Stevie Wonder		 French SNEP number-one single (first run)
December 29, 1984 (1 week) 		Succeeded by
"Besoin de rien, envie de toi" by Peter & Sloane
Preceded by
"Besoin de rien, envie de toi" by Peter & Sloane		 French SNEP number-one single (second run)
January 19, 1985 - January 26, 1985 (2 weeks) 		Succeeded by
"When the Rain Begins to Fall"
by Pia Zadora and Jermaine Jackson
Preceded by
"When the Rain Begins to Fall"
by Pia Zadora and Jermaine Jackson		 French SNEP number-one single (third run)
February 16, 1985 (1 week)
French SNEP number-one single (fourth run)
March 2, 1985 (1 week) 		Succeeded by
"Square Rooms" by Al Corley

Run–D.M.C. version

"Ghostbusters"
Single by Run-D.M.C.
from the album Ghostbusters II OST
B-side "Pause"
Released July 12, 1989
Genre Hip hop
Length 4:07
6:00 (12" mix)
Label MCA, Profile Records
Writer(s) Ray Parker Jr., Joseph Simmons, Darryl McDaniels, Jason Mizell
Producer(s) Jam Master Jay, Davy D
Run-D.M.C. singles chronology
"Run's House"
(1988)		 "Ghostbusters"
/ "Pause"
(1989)		 "What's It All About"
(1990)

For the film's 1989 sequel, Ghostbusters II, a remixed version of the "Ghostbusters" song was recorded featuring a rap by Run–D.M.C.. It was released on 7" vinyl and cassette as a standard single, as well as on 12" vinyl and CD as a double A-side maxi single with the track "Pause" from Run-D.M.C.'s fifth studio album, Back from Hell.

Music video

The song's music video begins with Sigourney Weaver and Annie Potts climbing out of a limousine in front of a large crowd. They are accompanied by Run–D.M.C. and Jam Master Jay dressed in the standard beige Ghostbusters' uniform, who then perform the song on stage to a packed audience for the remainder of the video, intercut with clips from the film. Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson also make cameos as security personnel.

Track listings

7" single / cassette
  1. "Ghostbusters" – 4:07
  2. "Ghostbusters (Ghost Power Instrumental)" – 4:07
12" single
  1. "Ghostbusters" – 6:00
  2. "Ghostbusters (Dub Buster)" – 4:10
  3. "Pause" – 6:00
  4. "Pause (Dub Version)" – 3:32
  5. "Pause (Radio Version)" – 3:46
CD single
  1. "Ghostbusters" – 6:00
  2. "Pause" – 6:00
  3. "Pause (Dub Version)" – 3:32
  4. "Pause (Radio Version)" – 3:46

The Rasmus version

"Ghostbusters"
Single by The Rasmus
from the album Peep
Released September 9, 1996
Genre Alternative rock
Length 3:35
Label Warner Music Group
Writer(s) Ray Parker Jr.
Producer(s) The Rasmus, Teja Kotilainen

The Finnish rock band The Rasmus recorded a cover of the song which is included on their debut album Peep and EP album 3rd, both from 1996, as well as their compilation album Hellofacollection by 2001.

Their version was eight on the Finnish singles chart for one week in 1996 and thus became one of the greatest songs from the album Peep. The song is still popular when they perform live, as it is seen as a classic for their older fans. No official music video has been made for the song, but a live video from 1996 has become popular among fans, and therefore they are sometimes mistaken for a music video.

When they play the song live set they often confuse with the song Playboys under the name "Pelleily," which is Finnish and roughly means that jam ma (in a fun way).

At The Rasmus official website of 1999 could find the following description of the song:

The idea of having to Ray Parker's "Ghostbusters" in a different interpretation [on the EP 3rd] came about when the boys joked and shouted "Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters" to each other. This song is the only cover song Rasmus ever made. All other songs are in their own production.

Mickael Turtle version

"Ghostbusters"
Single by Mickael Turtle
Released 2005
Length 2:26
Label Universal
Writer(s) Ray Parker Jr.
Mickael Turtle singles chronology
"Ghostbusters"
(2005)		 "Super Freak"
(2006)

In 2005, the original song was covered by the animated character Mickael Turtle, reaching No. 5 in France on December 3, 2005, and No. 23 in Switzerland on January 15, 2006.[35]

Track listing

  1. "Ghostbusters" (radio edit) — 2:26
  2. "Ghostbusters" (extended club original mix) — 5:07
  3. "Ghostbusters" (who's that remix long voix) — 6:15
  4. "Ghostbusters" (extended club instrumental mix) — 5:07
  5. "Ghostbusters" (Who's that remix long dub) — 6:12
  6. Mickael The Turtle - Teaser Video

Charts

Chart (2005) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[36] 58
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[37] 21
France (SNEP)[38] 5
Germany (Official German Charts)[39] 56
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[40] 23
End of year chart (2005) Position
France (SNEP)[41] 50

Charts

Country Certification Date Sales certified
France[42] Silver December 1, 2005 125,000

Fall Out Boy and Missy Elliott version

"Ghostbusters (I'm Not Afraid)"
Single by Fall Out Boy featuring Missy Elliott
from the album Ghostbusters (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Released June 23, 2016
Format Digital download
Recorded 2016
Genre
Length 3:07
Label
Writer(s) Ray Parker Jr.
Producer(s) Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy singles chronology
"Irresistible"
(2015)		 "Ghostbusters (I'm Not Afraid)"
(2016)
Missy Elliot singles chronology
"This is For My Girls"
(2016)		 "Ghostbusters (I'm Not Afraid)"
(2016)

"Ghostbusters (I'm Not Afraid)", a version of the song by American rock band Fall Out Boy, featuring hip hop recording artist Missy Elliott, was released on June 23, 2016, off the film's remake motion picture original soundtrack, which was released on July 15, 2016.

Track listing

No. Title Length
1. "Ghostbusters (I'm Not Afraid)"   3:07

Walk the Moon version

Another cover version of the song appears on the soundtrack album to the Ghostbusters reboot film. Unlike the very different song first released by Fall Out Boy and Missy Elliot, Walk the Moon's version is much closer to the original song.

Charts

Chart (2016) Peak
position
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[43] 70

See also

References

  1. ↑ Graff, Gary (June 8, 2014). "'Ghostbusters' At 30: A Soundtrack Appreciation". Billboard. Retrieved June 15, 2015.
  2. ↑ Teri Vanhorn, "Ray Parker Jr. Suing Huey Lewis Over ‘Ghostbusters’ Comment", MTV News, March 23, 2001.
  3. ↑ "The Inside Story Of The 'Ghostbusters' Music Video".
  4. ↑ "Back to the Future: 13 things you may not know". The Daily Telegraph. 21 October 2015. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  5. ↑ Hutchinson, Sean (14 July 2016). "20 Things You Might Not Know About 'Ghostbusters'". Mental Floss. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  6. ↑ The pair once again settled out of court.Ray Parker Jr. Suing Huey Lewis Over 'Ghostbusters' Comment
  7. ↑ Eddy, Cheryl (September 10, 2015). "On Key and Peele, Ray Parker, Jr. Has a Theme Song for Every Movie, Ever". Gizmodo.
  8. ↑ Discogs.com https://www.discogs.com/Ray-Parker-Jr-Ghostbusters/release/398813
  9. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Ray Parker Jr. – Ghostbusters" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  10. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Ray Parker Jr. – Ghostbusters" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  11. ↑ "Canadian Adult Contemporary peak". Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  12. ↑ "Canadian Top Singles peak". Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  13. ↑ [Nanda Lwin (1999). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. ISBN 1-896594-13-1.
  14. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Ray Parker Jr. – Ghostbusters" (in French). Les classement single.
  15. ↑ "Musicline.de – Ray Parker Jr. Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH.
  16. ↑ Irish Singles Chart Irishcharts.ie. Retrieved August 5, 2008.
  17. ↑ "Hit Parade Italia - Indice per Interprete: P". Hit Parade Italia. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  18. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Ray Parker Jr. search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40.
  19. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Ray Parker Jr. – Ghostbusters" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  20. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Ray Parker Jr. – Ghostbusters". Top 40 Singles.
  21. ↑ "Norwegiancharts.com – Ray Parker Jr. – Ghostbusters". VG-lista.
  22. ↑ John Samson. "Ghostbusters in South African Chart". Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  23. ↑ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  24. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Ray Parker Jr. – Ghostbusters". Singles Top 100.
  25. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Ray Parker Jr. – Ghostbusters". Swiss Singles Chart.
  26. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ray Parker Jr. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  27. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Ray Parker Jr. Billboard awards on Allmusic. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  28. ↑ 1984 Swiss Singles Chart Hitparade.ch. Retrieved August 5, 2008.
  29. ↑ "Canadian certifications – Ray Parker Jr. – Ghostbusters". Music Canada. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  30. ↑ "French certifications – Ray Parker Jr. – Ghostbusters" (in French). InfoDisc. Select RAY PARKER JR. and click OK
  31. ↑ "Les Singles de Platine :" (in French). Infodisc.fr. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
  32. ↑ "British certifications – Ray Parker Jr – Ghostbusters". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 29 April 2012. Enter Ghostbusters in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select Gold in the field By Award. Click Search
  33. ↑ "Daft Punk's Get Lucky becomes one of the UK's biggest selling singles of all-time!". Official Charts Company. June 27, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  34. ↑ "American certifications – Parker, Ray, Jr. – Ghostbusters". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
  35. ↑ "Ghosbusters", by Mickael Turtle Lescharts.com. Retrieved December 16, 2007.
  36. ↑ "Australian-charts.com – Mickael Turtle – Ghostbusters". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  37. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Mickael Turtle – Ghostbusters" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  38. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Mickael Turtle – Ghostbusters" (in French). Les classement single.
  39. ↑ "Musicline.de – Mickael Turtle Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH.
  40. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Mickael Turtle – Ghostbusters". Swiss Singles Chart.
  41. ↑ 2005 French Singles Chart Disqueenfrance.com. Retrieved August 5, 2008.
  42. ↑ French certifications Disqueenfrance.com. Retrieved August 5, 2008.
  43. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2016-07-22". Scottish Singles Top 40. Retrieved July 23, 2016.

External links

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