On this date 30 years ago, the lead track from the Ghostbusters soundtrack—the aptly titled "Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker Jr.—went to no. 1 on the charts and would stay there for an additional two weeks.
This was a simpler time, when a songwriter could write a title song that didn't veer from the film's subject matter, no matter how ridiculous, and such a track could be nominated for the Song of The Year Grammy (albeit lose to Stevie Wonder). Parker would end up being sued by Huey Lewis and the News for allegedly stealing the melody to the track, a case which was settled out of court.
Regardless, it's a great song and we love the 30th anniversary treatment it got at Record Store Day this year, featuring a glow-in-the-dark 10" of the single. Awesome.
Unfortunately, this is a case where the one single blinds listeners from the fact that the performer has an entire discography to consider. And, admittedly, most of Parker's stuff is somewhat stereotyped, forgettable '80s material. There are a few tracks worth consideration however. Check 'em out:
05) "I Still Can't Get Over Lovin' You" (1983)
This, the first single from Woman Out of Control, was Parker's last big success prior to the release of Ghostbusters. It's a smooth lament from a lover who clearly can't move on. Filled with synthesizers and electronic drums, the track resonates the pop trends of the time. Although it packs lyrics listeners can sympathize with, it's also somewhat creepy, such as when Parker delivers the line "every breath you take, I'll be watching you." Wait, what? Yeah, maybe "Ghostbusters" wasn't the first time he borrowed from another performer.
04) "One Sunny Day/Dueling Bikes From Quiksilver" (1986)
Ghostbusters treated Parker well enough, so he tried his hand at soundtrack songs again with "One Sunny Day" for the film Quiksilver. The jaunty singalong with Helen Kerry is a little cheesy but hey, it was perfect for a plot revolving around a Wall Street trader who loses his fortune, becomes a bicycle messenger, saves a young woman from gang life before becoming wound up in a murder story. So yeah. The real problem was that the title track was delivered by Giorgio Moroder and Roger Daltrey, which stole Parker's potential thunder.
03) "The Other Woman" (1982)
"The Other Woman" might as well be called "The Other Band." Parker had just left his group Raydio and he got off to a hot start with this single. It got up to no. 4 on the Hot 100, the performer's second highest mark behind "Ghostbusters." This pop rocker features Parker's guitar more prominently than later singles, as well as a strong backing vocal group. If your parents ever lament the sexual promiscuity of your generation, just point this number out, where Parker openly proclaims how okay he feels with dealing with the titular woman. "Makes me want to get my guitar and play with it all night long." Yeah, no innuendo there.
02) "I've Been Diggin' You" (1985)
Chartbusters was Parker's first album released post his "Ghostbusters" success, and its title is a clear play on the film title. "I've Been Diggin' You" was the second single from the album. This is an instrumentally darker play on the theme of stalking established in "I Still Can't Get Over Lovin' You" as the vocalist details how he's been "digging" the subject of the song (a crush, okay), he's been watching her (that's a crime in most states) and he's been loving her for the longest time (that may be a sign of mental issues). Still, catchy tune.
01) "Electronic Lover" (1983)
Parker may have borrowed the closing themes of "I Still Can't Get Over Lovin' You" from The Police, but "Electronic Lover" puts him ahead of Steven Spielberg by almost 20 years. Remember Jude Law as Gigolo Joe, the robotic prostitute in A.I.? Parker steps into almost the same role for this track, telling women that he'll do whatever they want, and he's the "ultimate in pleasure." A synthesizer keeps the electronic theme in play and a saxophone solo ices the cake, in a strictly platonic sense. Our less innocent colleagues are suggesting that an "electronic lover" could be something besides a robot, based on the phrase "as long as you keep me charged up, I'll run for you all night long." We're sticking with the robot theory.
