Ray Erskine Parker, Jr. (born May 1, 1954), is an American guitarist, songw… Read Full Bio ↴Ray Erskine Parker, Jr. (born May 1, 1954), is an American guitarist, songwriter, producer and recording artist. Parker is known for writing and performing the theme song to the motion picture Ghostbusters, for his solo hits, and performing with his band Raydio as well as the late Barry White.
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)
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)
Wannabe
Ray Parker Jr. Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Wannabe' by these artists:
04. Spice Girls Ha ha ha ha ha Yo, I'll tell you what…
58G (Humla on the beat) Nejsem wannabe, dělám jen co mě baví…
Abby Mallard Compressing down my spine To my childhood size Pressure st…
Algato Ramos Det var en gång inte länge sen, en liten grabb…
Amanda Zullo Ha ha ha ha ha Yo, I'll tell you what I…
Anomia Wannabe in your cold bed while you're dropping tears like t…
At Vance Look at me I tell you what you must do You don't…
Austin Giorgio You been looking my way You been looking my way Everyone's l…
BABY BOYS i wanted to play outside but somebody's bird is screaming…
BigXthaPlug (Turn me up a lil' more) I'm what they wanna be These…
Blessing Offor Ooh Ooh (one, two, three) I was a wannabe tryna be anything…
Boo It's been a long little while since I saw you…
Boom the Bass Yo I'll tell you what I want, what I really…
Brinck Facing the fact that I don't have friends in this…
Broken Heart College I'll tell you what I want, what I really really…
C. Willys So you tell me 'bout the scene back when I…
Countdown Dance Masters Ha ha ha ha ha Yo, I'll tell you what I…
D-Sisive Don't doubt, don't doubt Shut off your mind, shut up your…
Dallas Crane You roll in the dirt of your gloss magazines Then you…
Danny Jacob Yo, I'll tell you what I want, what I really…
De Heideroosjes Bridge: Yo I'll tell you what I want, what…
Deip Hey, hey, hey, hey Hey, hey, hey, hey Hey, hey, hey, hey Hey…
Delany Ik heb ik heb goud om mijn nek Fully dressed pull…
DEMONDICE ねーねーみんな 私の真似してください けど はくしわ さいこ まで ととえ で ね Ayo (はい) Let me i…
Designer Disguise Yo, I'll tell you what I want, what I really,…
Die Happy Big hit on the radio Big man with a license to…
Downlowd I wanna be famous you know what it means (yeah) Yeah,…
Dragon Stone 잔소리는 Stop it 알아서 할게 내가 뭐가 되든 내가 알아서 할…
Dylan Schneider If you wanna be with a guy that's gonna bring…
Epik High feat. Mellow Epik High is back! This goes out to all the trend-setters Ge…
Escante Odio tu forma de ser Eres un personaje de papel Odio toda…
Eugenio Oliveras Woah I'm just tryna win and live comfortably All my shit fi…
Five Are In The House - F.A.I.T.H. This were supposed to be, funny shitty lyrics Yet I can't…
G-Noiz (Humla on the beat) Nejsem wannabe, dělám jen co mě baví…
G9 I know that you're thinkin' about me I know that you're…
Gainsay I don't know how I come across feel like your wannabe say…
Genesis Renji Last night I stared God in the face Find it odd…
Glee Cast Yo, I'll tell you what I want, what I really…
Golden Child 웃음을 잃은 것 같아 행복을 잊은 것 같아 어둠이 내려앉은 듯 lay…
Halestorm (One, two, one, two, three) Woo-ooh Woo-ooh-ooh Woo-ooh Woo-…
Heideroosjes Yo I'll tell you what I want, what I really…
Hi - C So you tell me 'bout the scene back when I…
Highsnob Ne ho piene le palle di 'sti figli di puttana Che…
Itzy 잔소리는 stop it 알아서 할게 내가 뭐가 되든 내가 알아서 할…
james! They'll crush your dreams without a care Your eyes tear up…
Javelynn I'm a catastrophic vague Reflection of myself But I don't …
Jon Lemon You some wannabes that's what I do not wannabe Bitch don't…
Jonasu If you want my future, forget my past If you wanna…
JotDog Aveces yo no entiendo bien Y me arrastra el mundo En un…
Krizz Kaliko I’m very truthful when I’m bussin’ Get my point across and…
Krizz Kaliko feat. Twiztid I’m very truthful when I’m bussin’ Get my point across and…
Last Hope I see so many wannabes that try to look cool Fools…
Lila Yin We don't need to talk About the superficial things Get to kn…
Lipgloss Twins I don't want to be a twin I don't want to…
Live On Arrival You say everyone has An identical twin You're a doppelganger…
Logic How much does fame weigh? A gram I wanna be famous, I…
Lollipops Wanna be a popstar and move your body on and move your…
LVCAS DOPE Ty jsi pro mě jenom Wannabe Chtěl by jsi to všechno…
M-Sli©k Da NinjA Get kicked! Watch how I spit, simple ass shit Hop in the…
Madita Compressing down my spine To my childhood size Pressure stea…
Mads Veslelia Langt igjen å gå are you kidding me, killing me, stupidity…
Maiysha I know how to love I know how to lose I know…
Manni INSTAGRAM: VKarashavko FOLLOW 4 FOLLOW INSTAGRAM: VKarashavk…
Maxdown Yo, I'll tell you what I want, what I really…
Mikaela Astel Just one mistake And its been haunting me for days And in…
Minipop Kids Ha ha ha ha ha Yo, I′ll tell you what I…
Missy Five Ha ha ha ha ha Yo, I'll tell you what I…
Mr. Pizza 13 saal ka tha main, naata mota chashme waala, Wanna be…
My Sun and Stars Yo, I'll tell you what I want, what I really…
Naflexx Rah Posledný track zarobil viac ako má Andrej Babiš Nehovor…
Najwajean Nobody cares about your real name So keep on standing next…
Neon December I've been stuck inside this program for most of my…
nicole han I stalk her on the internet I wishful think that you'll…
Nine Days To watch the leaves grow on the trees with you…
Nito-Onna Yo, I'll tell you what I want, what I really,…
Pony Girl Look up look up There is a side to every…
Rats and Daggers Is there another, is there another Did I not give you,…
RENforshort All you wanna do is cocaine Play guitar, think that you're…
ReVel Mixes Стой! Пока ещё не выключен свет Я хочу услышать ответ Скажи,…
Royal Tailor I was just walking home iPod and my headphones on Thinking '…
Runt of the Litter Compressing down my spine To my childhood size Pressure st…
s.g (Humla on the beat) Nejsem wannabe, dělám jen co mě baví…
Sammi Constantine No, I don’t give a about red carpets Don’t need my…
Sandflower Ha ha ha ha ha Yo, I'll tell you what I…
Shaina All those years down the drain So sad it had to…
skameleon Yo, I'll tell you what I want, what I really,…
Snoop Dogg; Staind Yeah, wannabes, yeah You wanna look like Wanna sound like Wa…
space curls Yo I'll tell you what I want, what I really…
Spice Girls Ha ha ha ha ha Yo, I'll tell you what…
Staind I'm selling records What is it that you do? Sitting…
Staind(Rockdl.net) I'm selling records What is it that you do? Sitting…
Tantric YOU WON'T MAKE ME A VICTIM (DO YOU LOOK INSIDE, DO…
Taylor Kingman I wannabe strong That time I proved I was right, I…
The Android You try to look like you're busy Your time's aerobics and…
The Baseballs Yo, I'll tell you what I want What I really really…
The Hit Crew Yo I'll tell you what I want, what I really…
The Moonies Grab my keys I'm out the door That's my only time…
The Peppercorns Yo, I′ll tell you what I want, what I really…
The Starlite Orchestra & Singers Yo, I'll tell you what I want, what I really…
The Veronicas I'll tell you what I want, what I really want So,…
Tom MacDonald This is my song, yeah This is my song, yeah, yeah This…
Tony Yayo [Chorus: Tony Yayo] Nigga I'm a baller, shot caller 23 inche…
Trench Mafia Locco Čalītis ir nācis no ģimenes kur nav galīgi Problēmu nekādu l…
U-know Get kicked! Watch how I spit, simple ass shit Hop in the…
Unlike Pluto & Joanna Jones pres. why mona Yeah, I'll tell you what I want, what I really,…
Various Artists Yo, I'll tell you what I want, what I really,…
Voxcore You wannabe god You wannabe great You wannabe someone You wa…
why mona Yeah, I'll tell you what I want, what I really,…
whytide I wanna be sober I wanna be done I wanna come over I…
Zebrahead Yo, I'll tell ya what I want, what I really…
Zeromancer Wannabe, yeah you You're just a wannabe Do you want to be…
Ziggy おまえの奴隷になりたい おまえのおもちゃになりたい おまえの犬になりたい おまえの全てになりたい Fuckin' Ri…
辣妹 Yo I'll tell you what I want what I really…
골든차일드 웃음을 잃은 것 같아 행복을 잊은 것 같아 어둠이 내려앉은 듯 lay…
있지 잔소리는 stop it 알아서 할게 내가 뭐가 되든 내가 알아서 할…
효연 모두의 wannabe 난 만인의 연인이지 Loose한 큰 box-t에도 느껴지는 맵시 날 보면 omg 모두 …
We have lyrics for these tracks by Ray Parker Jr.:
A Woman Needs Love Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo Mmm-mmm-mmm A woman needs a love (just …
Bad Boy I've been a Bad Boy Now I want to come back…
Christmas Time Is Here Hang up the mistletoe And turn the lights down low Let's fee…
Don't Think That Man Should sleep Alone I don't think that man should sleep alone I don't think…
Ghost Busters Ghostbusters If there's something strange in you neighborho…
Ghostbuster Ghostbusters! If there's something strange in you neighborh…
Ghostbusters (Ghostbusters) If there's something strange In your neighbor…
Ghostbusters (From Ghostbusters! If there's something strange In your neigh…
Ghostbusters (Instrumental Version) GHOSTBUSTERS If there's something strange in your neighborh…
Girls Are More Fun Girls are more fun, ooh, ooh Girls are more fun The party…
I Don't Think That Man Should Sleep Alone I don't think that man should sleep alone I don't think…
I Got You I'm all confused And I don't know what to do Cause I…
I Still Can I'm all confused and I don't know what to do Cause…
I Still Can't Get Over Loving You I'm all confused And I don't know what to do Cause I…
In The Heat Of The Night He promises you things'll be different If you just give him…
Intro It's neither touch nor taste But silvery lines, the cute fr…
It's Time to Party Now Everybody* up it's time to party now Turn up the music…
Jack and Jill Jack (Jack)- wanting someone to feel (feel) Sat upon the hil…
Jamie Jamie used to be my girl She used to be my…
Let Her Go We've been goin' out for awhile now baby We've had…
Loving You I'm all confused And I don't know what to do Cause I…
Old Pro (Oooooo) Loving you, was everything I needed and more But li…
Over You I'm all confused And I don't know what to do Cause I…
So Into You "So Into You" All my life I′ve elected To keep my feelings …
That Old Song A good song and a love affair Go hand in hand…
The Other Woman Oh, yeah I'm in love (I'm in love) With the other woman My…
The Past I was wrong when I hurt you Did you have to…
The People Next Door I wanna bang on the walls Rock on the floor I wanna…
Two Places At The Same Time Doo, doo, doo Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo First time…
Woman Out Of Control Mmm I've got a woman out of control A woman…
You Can Mm, hm Honey, I'll always love you I promise I'll always lo…
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