Who you gonna call?’: The story of Ray Parker Jr.’s ‘Ghostbusters’

by

As a seasoned gamer and 80’s pop culture enthusiast, I can confidently say that Ray Parker Jr.’s “Ghostbusters” is more than just a catchy tune – it’s a time machine that transports me back to my childhood. The song’s infectious melody, coupled with its role in defining the film’s fun and supernatural tone, makes it an instant classic that never loses its charm.

The theme song for the 1984 movie “Ghostbusters” is sung by American artist Ray Parker Jr., who is sometimes thought of as a one-hit wonder due to his earlier US top 5 hit in 1982 titled “The Other Woman.” However, the song that we are referring to here gained significant popularity not just because of its memorable chorus (“Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!”) but also for helping set the film’s playful and otherworldly atmosphere.

Isn’t it surprisingly enjoyable to have a story about the world’s end? That must be why Ray Parker Jr. was asked to compose a theme song for the Ghostbusters movie. The director, Ivan Reitman, aimed for something lively and fun to complement the film’s humorous vibe, and Parker certainly delivered.

Parker was faced with a stringent timeline (apparently only a few days) to compose and record the song. This predicament often serves as an excellent motivation to sit down and create. However, he found it difficult to develop a theme until he chanced upon a late-night TV advertisement for a local business, which sparked the idea to fashion the song in the style of a jingle for a ghost-hunting company. Released individually, “Ghostbusters” ascended to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and remained there for three weeks in 1984. As such, it became as synonymous with that year as hits like Prince’s “When Doves Cry” or Madonna’s “Like a Virgin.

The tune turned out to be an enormous commercial success, earning Parker a reputation he’ll likely never shed, as it climbed to the top spot in France and reached No. 4 in Germany. However, amidst all the fun it brought, this song also stirred up some controversy – yes, there was the plagiarism lawsuit.

The “Ghostbusters” plagiarism lawsuit

As a fervent admirer, I find myself pondering over the intriguing tale of Popstar Huey Lewis who took Parker to task, alleging that “Ghostbusters” had unintentionally copied his hit tune “I Want a New Drug.” It’s fascinating to consider whether Parker intentionally drew inspiration from the song or if it was more a case of subconscious borrowing. Regardless, the dispute was amicably resolved out of court in 1985.

Man, I can’t believe it! After the settlement, Lewis and I agreed not to discuss our case. But guess what? Lewis ended up talking about it on VH1, which led to another lawsuit. Wow, that’s gotta sting!

Music video and cultural icons

The music video for “Ghostbusters” was equally popular. It showcased Ray Parker Jr. singing the track alongside several famous guest appearances and excerpts from the film itself. Notably, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, along with other actors from the movie, made an appearance, contributing to its success (and it didn’t hurt that “Ghostbusters” is actually a pretty good film).

The iconic tune associated with Ghostbusters has grown intimately linked to the franchise, and its catchy “Who you gonna call?” hook has become a staple in pop culture lingo. This melody resurfaces with each fresh Ghostbusters sequel or reboot, such as the 2016 female-led version and the 2021 film titled Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Although various new renditions of the song have been produced, the original by Parker is still the most cherished.

Awards nomination

The movie “Ghostbusters” was up for an Academy Award in the category of Best Original Song, but it didn’t win. Instead, Stevie Wonder’s song “I Just Called to Say I Love You” took the prize – a tune many people remember fondly, and probably not many “Ghostbusters” fans are disappointed about this loss.

Despite not receiving recognition from major awards, Ray Parker Jr.’s “Ghostbusters” remains a cherished component of ’80s pop culture, and it continues to echo through Halloween celebrations, sports events, and beyond.

The Ghostbusters series remains a timeless and lucrative franchise, with its theme song becoming a catchy hit in the 1980s due to frequent airings on TV during The Real Ghostbusters. Just like classic Nintendo Entertainment System games, it continues to be a favorite that people revisit. It’s quite enjoyable!

Read More

2024-10-30 03:01