Ray Parker Jr. is a talented musician and songwriter best known for his hit song "Ghostbusters," which was the theme song for the popular 1984 movie of the same name. Here are some interesting facts about Ray Parker Jr. and the song:
Iconic Theme Song: Ray Parker Jr.'s "Ghostbusters" theme song became an iconic part of pop culture. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and received two Grammy Award nominations.
Lawsuit: Huey Lewis and the News sued Ray Parker Jr. for copyright infringement, claiming that "Ghostbusters" sounded too similar to their song "I Want a New Drug." The two parties eventually settled out of court.
Catchy Lyrics: The song's catchy chorus, "Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!" became an instant catchphrase and is still widely recognized today.
No Time to Write: Ray Parker Jr. was given very little time to write and record the song for the movie. He reportedly had just a few days to come up with the theme.
Celebrities in the Music Video: The music video for "Ghostbusters" featured appearances by several notable celebrities, including Chevy Chase, John Candy, Danny DeVito, and Irene Cara.
Grammy Nomination: Ray Parker Jr. received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Male Vocal Performance for his work on "Ghostbusters."
Revival in Pop Culture: The song and its associated imagery have been frequently used in various forms of media, including movies, TV shows, commercials, and video games, keeping it alive in pop culture.
Songwriter and Session Musician: Apart from his solo career, Ray Parker Jr. was a sought-after songwriter and session musician. He played guitar on many hit songs for artists like Stevie Wonder, Barry White, and Aretha Franklin.
Versatile Musician: Ray Parker Jr. is known for his versatility as a musician, proficient in various musical genres, including R&B, funk, and pop.
Awards and Recognition: In addition to his Grammy nomination for "Ghostbusters," Ray Parker Jr. has received other awards and honors throughout his career, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Ray Parker Jr.'s "Ghostbusters" remains a classic theme song, and he has left a lasting impact on the music industry with his talent and contributions.