Early Work
In the mid-1970s he was a sideman in Barry White's "Love Unlimited Orchestra", before creating Raydio, an R&B group, in 1977, with Vincent Bohnam, Jerry Knight, and Arnell Carmichael. Parker appeared briefly in the 1974 film "Uptown Saturday Night" as a guitar player. Parker also wrote songs and did session work for The Carpenters, Rufus and Chaka Khan,Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Leon Haywood, Temptations, The Spinners, Boz Scaggs, Rhythm Heritage, and Gladys Knight and the Pips.
Raydio
The group scored their first big hit, with Arista Records, "Jack and Jill" off of their self-titled album in 1978. The song was # 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, earning a Gold record in the process.
Their successful follow-up hit, "You Can't Change That" was released in 1979, off of the Rock On album. The song was a Top 10 hit, making it up to # 9 on the Billboard charts during the same year it was released.
In 1980, the group became known as Ray Parker Jr. and Raydio, and the group released two more albums: Two Places at the Same Time in 1980 and A Woman Needs Love in 1981.
During the eighties Ray Parker Jr. and Raydio had two Top 40 hits ("Two Places at the Same Time" - # 40 in 1980 and "That Old Song" - # 21 in 1981) and their last and biggest hit "A Woman Needs Love," released in 1981, went to # 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts, and # 1 on the R&B Charts for two weeks in 1981.
The Solo Years and Ghostbusters
Raydio broke up in 1981, while Ray Parker Jr. continued with his solo career, scoring six Top 40 hits, including the hit single "The Other Woman" (Pop # 4) in 1982 and "Ghostbusters" in 1984.
Parker was one the first black artists to venture into the then-fledgling world of music videos. He actually made two different videos for his hit "The Other Woman". The first was Halloween-themed and centered around a haunted castle with dancing corpses and vampires. The second was more performance-oriented, with Parker performing the song against a outer space background with backup singers. MTV initially refused to air either video because, at the time, no videos for black artists were shown and, in the case of the "haunted castle" video, Parker was depicted as having interracial relationships, which MTV didn't want to promote.
"Ghostbusters" was a title track of the Gold-selling soundtrack of the hit movie Ghostbusters (but the song has now sold upwards of 28 million units internationally according to Parker in 2007)[citation needed], starring Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd. The single was at #1 for three weeks on Billboard's Hot 100 chart, and at #1 for two weeks on its Black Singles chart. The song was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1984 but lost to Stevie Wonder's "I Just Called to Say I Love You" from The Woman in Red.
He also made an acting appearance on the 1980s sitcom Gimme a Break starring Nell Carter.
Controversy surrounding Ghostbusters
Parker was accused of plagiarizing the melody from Huey Lewis & the News song "I Want a New Drug" for his 1984 #1 hit theme to Ghostbusters, released only six months after Lewis' hit reached #6 in the Billboard Hot 100. This ended with Lewis suing Parker, and the pair settled out of court in 1995.
They returned to court once again in 2001, as Parker sued Lewis for breaching a confidentiality agreement forming part of their original out of court settlement which prohibited either side from speaking about it publicly. Lewis had revealed in a VH1 Behind The Music special that Parker had paid a financial settlement as part of the original agreement.
Continued Songwriting
Ray Parker Jr. also wrote and produced hits for New Edition ("Mr. Telephone Man"), Randy Hall, Cheryl Lynn ("Shake It Up Tonight"), Deniece Williams ("I Found Love") and Diana Ross. He also performed guitar on several songs on La Toya Jackson's 1980 debut album.
Raydio Discography
* Raydio (1978) #27 US
* Rock On (1979) #45 US
* Two Places at the Same Time (1980) #33 US
* A Woman Needs Love (1981) #13 US
* Greatest Hits (1982)
Ray Parker Jr. Discography
* The Other Woman (1982) #11 US
* Woman Out of Control (1983) #45 US
* Ghostbusters (Soundtrack) (1984) #6 US
* Chartbusters (1984) #60 US
* Sex and The Single Man (1985) #65 US
* After Dark (1987) #86 US
* I Love You Like You Are (1991)
* I'm Free (2006)
Don't Think That Man Should sleep Alone
Ray Parker Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
I don't think it's fair (do you baby)
I don't think that man should sleep alone
Somebody should be there
Oh sugar
This world that we live in
The thought of you and me sleeping here
Seems like everybody disapproves
Now I'm not, I'm not, I'm not saying
That I'm right and everyone else is wrong
I admit I've got a problem
I can't stand sleeping alone
I don't think that man should sleep alone
I don't feel it's right (do you baby)
I don't think that man should sleep alone
At least not tonight
Awl sugar
Yeah baby
I can't seem to get warm enough
Even with four blankets and a sheet
I may as well be honest girl
I think I need a little body heat
Wake up, wake up baby
Yes, I know, it's a quarter to three
But either you're coming here
Or I'm coming there
Cuz I just can't get to sleep - Naw
I don't think that man should sleep alone
I don't think it's fair (do you baby)
I don't think that man should sleep alone
Your body should be here
Baby come on
I wanna feel you lying next to me
(Don't you baby)
Sugar come on
Rock this baby to sleep
Let's hold each other real good
I won't try nothing baby
But honey it could feel good
If - you - only let loose
Come on
I don't think that man should sleep alone
I don't feel it's right
(Do you baby)
I don't think that man should sleep alone
You should be here tonite
Help me baby
Come on
I need body heat
Don't you sugar
Sugar come on
I wanna feel your shoodyaboop, shoodyaboop
Baby come on
Rock, rock me to sleep
Sugar come on
I wanna feel your heat
The lyrics of Ray Parker Jr.'s song "Don't Think That Man Should Sleep Alone" explore the theme of companionship and the innate human need for connection. The singer expresses his belief that it is not fair for a man to sleep alone, emphasizing the importance of having someone by his side. This sentiment is reinforced with the repeated chorus lines that suggest the necessity of another person's presence during the night.
The lyrics delve into the societal constraints and expectations that can hinder personal relationships. The mention of "too many laws and too many rules" alludes to the external pressures that can create barriers to intimacy and togetherness. Despite these challenges, the singer conveys a strong desire to defy conventions and be with his partner, underscoring the longing for a deep emotional connection that transcends societal norms.
The imagery of feeling cold despite being covered with multiple blankets and a sheet symbolizes the emotional emptiness and longing for warmth that the singer experiences when sleeping alone. This physical discomfort serves as a metaphor for the emotional discomfort of being without the person he cares about. The urgency in his voice when he asks his partner to come over reflects the intensity of his need for companionship and closeness.
The final verses of the song convey a sense of vulnerability and intimacy, with the singer expressing his desire to hold his partner and feel their warmth next to him. The plea for body heat and the reassurance that he won't try anything untoward highlight the genuine yearning for human connection and comfort. The intimate and tender tone of the lyrics conveys a sense of longing and a deep yearning for closeness, ultimately emphasizing the importance of emotional and physical intimacy in relationships.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RAY ERSKINE JR. PARKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kelvinarnold2417
Great song. You can hear Marvin's inspiration all over it.🎶🎵🎶🎵
@MrPorkmann
I agree, top song. However, I feel more Billy Dee.
@FolsomBluesPrison
Benny Harvey R.I.P Miss you big man,
Gone but not forgotten.
@johnmilbourn8876
It's nice people like my music thanks
@SandyOgilvie10
BEAST
@kingpooh6429
sandy ogilvie hahahahaha limmy!
@FolsomBluesPrison
Benny Harvey R.I.P Miss you big man,
Gone but not forgotten.
@Scienide1995_Deep_and_Dub
Yeah, that's the one! ))
@Gontse
This is some fine music! I can't believe they don't make them like this anymore... I am just a 21 year old with an old soul 😩
@reginaldward3242
Nothing wrong with that