Music Review, Is Ghostbusters (1984) One Hit Wonder by Ray Parker Jr?

Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters. Who can you call? Ghostbusters. I think you better call... Ghostbusters. 

Yes, those are some lyrics from the song "Ghostbusters" written by Ray Parker Jr. It was written as a soundtrack of the film with the same name directed by Ivan Reitman in 1984. The song peaked at no.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on August 11, 1984. Staying there for three weeks (Parker's only number one for that chart). It was also at no.2 on the UK Singles Chart. The song was nominated at the 57th Academic Awards (1985) for Best Original Song, but lost to Stevie Wonder's "I Just Called To Say I Love You". Ray Parker Jr. was born in 1954. He is an American singer, musician, songwriter, and record producer. 

The song "Ghostbusters" peaked no.1 in many countries: Argentina, Belgium, Canada, France, and South Africa. It reached no.2 in Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, and UK Chart. It peaked no.3 in Switzerland and no.4 in Ireland, Netherlands, and West Germany. It also received certification: Gold in Denmark (sold more than 45.000 copies), Gold in US (more than 1.000.000 copies), Platinum in Canada (more than 100.ooo copies), Platinum in France (more than 1000.000 million copies), and Platinum in UK (more than 1000.000 million copies)... wow. Amazing, huh?

OK, now let's take a look at the Ghostbusters: Original Soundtrack Album.  It was released by Arista Records on June 8th, 1984. There are ten tracks in this album. Not all of them were written and performed by Ray Parker Jr. Some other musicians were involved. Here's the track list: "Ghostbusters" (Ray Parker Jr., 04:05), "Cleanin' Up The Town" (The BusBoys, 02:57), "Savin' The Day" (Alessi Brothers, 03:22), "In The Name Of Love" (Thompson Twins, 03:18), "I Can Wait Forever" (Air Supply, 05:08), "Hot Night" (Laura Branigan, 03:21), "Magic" (Mick Smiley, 04:19), "Main Title Theme" (Elmer Bernstein, 02:59), "Dana's Theme" (Elmer Bernstein, 03:31), and "Ghostbusters" instrumental version (Ray Parker Jr., 04:47). This album reached no.1 in Argentine Albums, no.3 in Japanese Albums, no.4 in Spanish Albums, and no.6 in Canada Top Albums and US Billboard 200... wow, outstanding.  

This Ghostbusters: Original Soundtrack Album also received certification, guys... Gold in France (more than 100.000 sales), Gold in UK (more than 100.000 sales), Gold in Spain (more than 50.000 sales), Platinum in Canada (more than 100.000 sales), and Platinum in US (more than 1000.000 sales). In addition, these are the Ghostbusters movies: Ghostbusters (1984), Ghostbusters II (1989), Ghostbusters (2016), Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021), and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024). I just saw the original one in 1984. I forgot if I had seen the part II in 1989. Maybe I missed it because I was busy doing my high school's works back then. As for the remakes and the reboot one, I haven't seen them yet. 

OK, from this simple review of mine, it seems that "Ghostbusters" is indeed one hit wonder by Ray Parker Jr.