Ghostbusters Was A Huge Hit For Birthday Boy Ray Parker Jr. In 1984 – But How Original Was The Song?

James Harrison wished a big happy birthday to Ray Parker Jr. on today’s morning show.

Parker Jr.’s biggest hit was, of course, the theme song to 1984’s ‘Ghostbusters’, which starred Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson. The film’s soundtrack went certified Gold and the title track was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song.

But how original was ‘Ghostbusters’? Not very, if you ask Huey Lewis - front man of Huey Lewis and the News. Why? Because his single ‘I Want A New Drug’ was released in January of 1984, and that song and ‘Ghostbusters’ sound a heck of a lot alike.

How alike? Well, the two songs sounded so similar that Huey Lewis took Ray Parker Jr. to court shortly after the soundtrack's release, alleging that Parker Jr. plagiarized the melody of ‘I Want A New Drug’. The two parties settled out of court, but Parker Jr. took Lewis to court in 2001 after Lewis stated in a Behind the Music special that the ‘Ghostbusters’ producers encouraged Parker Jr. to rip off his song after he declined an offer to be involved in the film. Parker Jr.’s suit claimed that Lewis had violated a confidentiality agreement that had been part of their original settlement.

We can only assume Ray Parker Jr. had a much better lawyer than the Ghostbusters themselves.

What do you think? How similar are the songs? Check out both songs and a fun YouTube mash-up below!

Ghostbusters - Ray Parker Jr.

Huey Lewis and the News - I Want A New Drug

Mash-Up