Somethin’ Strange About These Songs

Who you gonna call?

We all know the famous theme song to the movie Ghostbusters, which was originally released in 1984.  The movie’s theme song, also entitled Ghostbusters, was written and recorded by Ray Parker, Jr. who got the job after several others, including Huey Lewis, declined the job.  The song debuted at number 68 on Billboard Hot 100 in June 1984, but by August had climbed to number one where it stayed for three weeks.

Shortly after the movie’s release Huey Lewis sued Ray Parker, Jr. and Columbia Pictures for plagiarism of Lewis’ song I Want a New Drug, which was released about five months earlier in 1984 and reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100.  Lewis reached a confidential settlement with Parker and Columbia Pictures.  But, in 2001 on MTV’s show Behind the Music Huey Lewis allegedly broke the confidentiality agreement and stated the settlement amount, which has been reported at $5,000,000.  Parker then sued Lewis for breaching the confidentiality agreement.  That lawsuit was later resolved. 

Want to hear for yourself?  Click here to listen.