The Story Behind Ray Parker Jr.’s Iconic “Ghostbusters” Theme Song

The Story Behind the “Ghostbusters” Theme Song

Back in 1984, director Ivan Reitman was gearing up for the release of a new movie called “Ghostbusters,” starring comedy legends Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd. He wanted a catchy theme song that would appeal to a wide audience, so he turned to Ray Parker Jr. for help.

Originally, Reitman had his heart set on composer Elmer Bernstein, who had worked with him on movies like “Animal House” and “Stripes.” But Bernstein couldn’t both score the film and write a hit song. So, Reitman asked Parker, who eagerly agreed.

Creating the Iconic Songs

Ray Parker Jr. crafted two tracks for the film: “Ghostbusters” and “Ghostbusters (Instrumental).” Reitman felt the instrumental version sounded a bit too much like Huey Lewis and the News’ “I Want a New Drug,” which had come out earlier that year.

Filming the Music Video

The music video for “Ghostbusters” is just as fun as the song itself. It features the movie’s stars—Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Rick Moranis, and Ernie Hudson. Even Annie Potts and Sigourney Weaver make brief appearances. The actors lip-synced the song with Parker while driving around Manhattan in Ecto-1, their iconic vehicle (actually a modified 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor).

They only had one day together to shoot the video, but they made it work. As a fun twist, Parker was gifted a “limited edition” ’59 Cadillac Miller-Meteor ambulance/hearse combo car as part of his contract. He later sold this unique car to Michael Jackson in 1989 for $200,000.

The Rush to Record

Parker recorded the song in just three hours. The last-minute request resulted in some rather vague and ambiguous lyrics. Despite this, the song became a classic.

The Song’s Legacy

“Ghostbusters” was a huge hit, ranking 55th on Billboard’s list of the top 100 songs of 1984. It even had a quirky moment in pop culture when Matt Damon joked during his Golden Globe acceptance speech in 2016 that “Ghostbusters” helped him develop his early acting skills. Damon was accepting the award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his role in “The Martian.”

The “Ghostbusters” theme song remains a beloved piece of 80s nostalgia, bringing smiles to fans new and old.

Lyrics

If there’s somethin strange in your neighborhood
Who ya gonna call ghostbusters
If it’s somethin weird an it won’t look good
Who ya gonna call ghostbusters

I ain’t afraid a no ghost
I ain’t afraid a no ghost
If you’re seein things runnin thru your head
Who can you call ghostbusters

An invisible man sleepin in your bed
Oh who ya gonna call ghostbusters
I ain’t afraid a no ghost
I ain’t afraid a no ghost
Who ya gonna call ghostbusters
If you’re all alone pick up the phone
An call ghostbusters

I ain’t afraid a no ghost
I hear it likes the girls
I ain’t afraid a no ghost
Who you gonna call ghostbusters

Mm if you’ve had a dose
Of a freaky ghost baby
You better call ghostbusters
Bustin makes me feel good
I ain’t afraid a no ghosts

Don’t get caught alone oh no ghostbuster
When he comes through your door
Unless you’ve just got some more
I think you better call ghostbusters

Ooh who you gonna call ghostbusters
Who you gonna call ghostbusters
Ah I think you better call ghostbusters

I can’t hear you ghostbusters
Who you gonna call ghostbusters
Louder ghostbusters
Who you gonna call ghostbusters
Who you can call ghostbusters