Ghostbusters (song)

"Ghostbusters"
Single by Ray Parker, Jr.
from the album Ghostbusters: Original Soundtrack Album
Released	May 1984
Genre	Dance-pop[1]
Length	4:04 4:45 (Extended instrumental version)
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 1984 song recorded by Ray Parker, Jr. as the theme to the film of the same name starring Bill Murray, Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd. Bowing 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, 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.

Controversy

When the theme song of Ghostbusters was released, Huey Lewis sued Ray Parker Jr. for plagiarism, claiming that Parker had stolen the melody from "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. 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.^[3]

Personnel

• Ray Parker, Jr. – vocals, guitar, bass, synthesizer, drums
• Irene Cara – background vocals

In the media

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

The song is used in the opening of the game for computers, such as the Atari 8-bit family, the Commodore 64, and the Apple II.

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 song is one of the playable songs in Lego Rock Band, both in the console versions and in the Nintendo DS version. In the console versions, the song is used for the second Rock Power Challenge, "Shock Band", in which the player's band must play the song to exorcise the ghosts haunting Brickton Manor.

Beatmania IIDX 14: Gold includes a remix of the "Ghostbusters" theme as a playable track.

The song is used in two episodes of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, "The Gang Solves the Gas Crisis" and "The Gang Recycles Their Trash".

The song was leaked and later revealed to be part of the tracklist in Just Dance 2014.

In Be Kind Rewind, characters played by Mos Def and Jack Black film their own version of Ghostbusters to replace a VHS copy of the film that got erased. Black sings completely wrong lyrics to the theme song, insisting his version is correct. The soundtrack then segues into the real theme as the two reenact the movie.

The song also appeared in Lego Dimensions in the beginning cutscene of the level, The Phantom Zone, when Stay Puft appeared with a platform at Foundation Prime, and in the character grid when you watch the videos of Peter Venkman, Slimer and Stay Puft.

Track listing

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

Charts

Chart (1984–85) Peak position Australia (Kent Music Report) 2 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[4] 8 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[5] 1 Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary[6] 6 Canadian RPM Top Singles[7] 1 France (SNEP)[8] 1 Germany (Official German Charts)[9] 4 Irish Singles Chart[10] 4 Italy (FIMI)[11] 8 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[12] 4 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[13] 5 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[14] 2 Norway (VG-lista)[15] 2 South African Chart[16] 1 Spain (AFYVE)[17] 1 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[18] 2 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[19] 3 UK (Official Charts Company)[20] 2 U.S. Billboard Hot 100[21] 1 U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary[21] 9 U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play[21] 6 U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles[21] 1 Chart (2005) Peak position U.S. Billboard Hot Digital Songs[21] 46 Chart (2006) Peak position U.S. Billboard Hot RingMasters[21] 19 Chart (2007) Peak position UK (Official Charts Company)[20] 70 Hot Canadian Digital Singles[21] 25 Chart (2008) Peak position UK (Official Charts Company)[20] 49 Chart (2009) Peak position UK (Official Charts Company)[20] 57 Chart (2010) Peak position UK (Official Charts Company)[20] 75 Chart (2012) Peak position UK (Official Charts Company)[20] 63 End of year chart (1984) Position Switzerland (Swiss Hitparade)[22] 12

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments Canada (Music Canada)[23] Platinum 100,000 France (SNEP)[24] Platinum 1,160,000[25] United Kingdom (BPI)[26] Gold 1,090,000[27] United States (RIAA)[28] Gold 1,000,000 Total available sales: 3,350,000 ^*sales figures based on certification alone ^^shipments figures based on certification alone ^xunspecified figures based on certification alone

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.

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.^[29]

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
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[30]	21
France (SNEP)[31]	5
Germany (Official German Charts)[32]	56
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[33]	23

End of year chart (2005)	Position
France (SNEP)[34]	50

Charts

Country	Certification	Date	Sales certified
France[35]	Silver	December 1, 2005	125,000

Other versions

• A version of the song with vocals by John Smith serves as the theme song for the spin-off cartoon series The Real Ghostbusters.
• A remix of the song serves as the theme song for the cartoon series, Extreme Ghostbusters.
• British thrash metal band Xentrix covered the song as a single and released it in various versions on several albums. There was a bit of controversy when they used a parody of the Ghostbusters logo on the single sleeve (with the ghost flicking a V Sign) without permission, but the band later reissued the single with different artwork.
• DJ team Umi Ghoulies remixed and covered the song at 175 bpm for the 2003 dance compilation Speed SFX.^[36]
• Rapper The Game, used the song as a sample for the first song on his mixtape Ghost Unit.
• Another mashup of "Ghostbusters" and AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" was included on Mash Up Your Bootz Vol.6.
• Texas pop-punk band Bowling for Soup covered the song for the movie Just Like Heaven.
• The alternative band Hoobastank recorded a version of the song for Halloween in 2009. A video, which features the band dressed in the multi-colored uniforms worn by The Real Ghostbusters, opposed to the tan jumpsuits worn by the motion picture Ghostbusters, was also put on YouTube.
• The Swedish radio comedy show Rally (late 1990s) did a spoof version of the song as Jörg Haider, ironically urging various people who had fallen on bad luck or hard times to trust the Austrian populist politician; this version emphasizes the march element of the tune.
• The song was used by Irish pub chain Bennigan's from the late 1980s to the early 1990s and was called "Blues-Busters".
• The song has also been used in commercials for various automotive dealerships owned by AutoNation starting in the early 2000s.
• The song was parodied in commercials to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Mythbusters.
• In the United Kingdom, the song is parodied with Parker himself being featured in a commercial advertising direct enquiries line 118 118.

See also

• List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of 1984

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 pair once again settled out of court.Ray Parker Jr. Suing Huey Lewis Over 'Ghostbusters' Comment
4. "Austriancharts.at – Ray Parker Jr. – Ghostbusters" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
5. "Ultratop.be – Ray Parker Jr. – Ghostbusters" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
6. "Canadian Adult Contemporary peak". Retrieved 20 October 2014.
7. "Canadian Top Singles peak". Retrieved 20 October 2014.
8. "Lescharts.com – Ray Parker Jr. – Ghostbusters" (in French). Les classement single.
9. "Musicline.de – Ray Parker Jr. Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH.
10. Irish Singles Chart Irishcharts.ie. Retrieved August 5, 2008.
11. "Hit Parade Italia - Indice per Interprete: P". Hit Parade Italia. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
12. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Ray Parker Jr. search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40.
13. "Dutchcharts.nl – Ray Parker Jr. – Ghostbusters" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
14. "Charts.org.nz – Ray Parker Jr. – Ghostbusters". Top 40 Singles.
15. "Norwegiancharts.com – Ray Parker Jr. – Ghostbusters". VG-lista.
16. John Samson. "Ghostbusters in South African Chart". Retrieved 31 May 2013.
17. Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
18. "Swedishcharts.com – Ray Parker Jr. – Ghostbusters". Singles Top 100.
19. "Swisscharts.com – Ray Parker Jr. – Ghostbusters". Swiss Singles Chart.
20. Ray Parker Jr. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
21. Ray Parker Jr. Billboard awards on Allmusic. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
22. 1984 Swiss Singles Chart Hitparade.ch. Retrieved August 5, 2008.
23. "Canadian certifications – Ray Parker Jr. – Ghostbusters". Music Canada. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
24. "French certifications – Ray Parker Jr. – Ghostbusters" (in French). InfoDisc. Select RAY PARKER JR. and click OK
25. "Les Singles de Platine :" (in French). Infodisc.fr. Retrieved 16 June 2012.
26. "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
27. Ami Sedghi (4 November 2012). "UK's million-selling singles: the full list". Guardian. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
28. "American certifications – Parker, Ray, Jr. – Ghostbusters". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
29. "Ghosbusters", by Mickael Turtle Lescharts.com. Retrieved December 16, 2007.
30. "Ultratop.be – Mickael Turtle – Ghostbusters" (in French). Ultratop 50.
31. "Lescharts.com – Mickael Turtle – Ghostbusters" (in French). Les classement single.
32. "Musicline.de – Mickael Turtle Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH.
33. "Swisscharts.com – Mickael Turtle – Ghostbusters". Swiss Singles Chart.
34. 2005 French Singles Chart Disqueenfrance.com. Retrieved August 5, 2008.
35. French certifications Disqueenfrance.com. Retrieved August 5, 2008.
36. "Various – Speed SFX". Discogs. Retrieved June 7, 2011.

External links

• Ray Parker Jr. discusses the making of "Ghostbusters"