Ray Parker Jr.’s Ghostbusters song was a massive hit when it was released in 1984. The song was written for the blockbuster comedy film Ghostbusters, starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Harold Ramis as three scientists who start a ghost-catching business in New York City.
The movie was a box office sensation and quickly became a cultural phenomenon, spawning toys, games, and even an animated TV series. The catchy theme song, which played over the opening credits of the movie, was an integral part of the film’s success and helped to propel the song to the top of the charts.
Ghostbusters spent three weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States, and it also topped the charts in several other countries around the world, including Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. The song’s success was driven in part by its infectious hook, which featured the memorable refrain “Who ya gonna call? Ghostbusters!” and its upbeat, catchy melody.
The music video for the song (above) was also a hit, featuring clips from the movie interspersed with footage of Ray Parker Jr. and his band performing in a neon-lit haunted house. Press the top left play button on the feature image above to watch and listen to the video.
In addition to its success on the charts, Ghostbusters was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song, and it has since become a beloved classic that is instantly recognizable to generations of moviegoers and music fans alike. The song’s enduring popularity has also led to numerous covers and remixes over the years, as well as its inclusion in numerous movies, TV shows, and commercials.
Despite its success, however, the song was not without controversy. Huey Lewis sued Ray Parker Jr. for copyright infringement, claiming that Ghostbusters sounded too similar to his own hit song I Want a New Drug. The case was settled out of court, and the terms of the settlement were not disclosed. Nevertheless, the controversy did not detract from the song’s success, and it remains a beloved classic to this day, nearly 40 years after its initial release.
Hit Movie of the 1980s
Ghostbusters tells the story of three scientists who, after being fired from their jobs, start a ghost-catching business in New York City.
The movie was a resounding success that quickly became a cultural phenomenon. The film’s unique blend of science-fiction, horror, and comedy quickly captured the imagination of audiences and became a box-office sensation.
Upon its release, Ghostbusters grossed $242 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing comedy film of all time until the release of Home Alone in 1990. The movie’s success was driven in large part by its stellar cast, which included Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson, and Sigourney Weaver. The chemistry between the actors, coupled with the film’s witty script and groundbreaking special effects, helped to create a movie that was both hilarious and thrilling.
The film’s success also paved the way for a sequel, “Ghostbusters II,” which was released in 1989. While the sequel was not as well-received as the original, it still managed to gross $215 million worldwide, demonstrating the enduring popularity of the franchise.