Music Metrics Vault

Ray Parker Jr.

Data updated on 2024-12-17 07:28:00 UTC
Guitarist/songwriter/producer Ray Parker Jr. had hits as Raydio (the million-selling "Jack and Jill," "You Can't Change That"), Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio ("Two Places at the Same Time," "A Woman Needs Love [Just Like You Do]"), and Ray Parker Jr. (the number one R&B and pop gold single "Ghostbusters"), and he co-wrote hit songs for Rufus and Chaka Khan (the number one "You Got the Love" from fall 1974) and Barry White ("You See the Trouble with Me" from spring 1976).

Born May 1, 1954, in Detroit, Michigan, Parker started out as a teenaged session guitarist playing on sessions recorded for Holland-Dozier-Holland's Hot Wax and Invictus Records, whose roster listed Freda Payne, Honey Cone, Chairmen of the Board, 100 Proof Aged in Soul, Laura Lee, and 8th Wonder. He also played behind the Temptations, Stevie Wonder, the Spinners, Gladys Knight & the Pips, and other Motown acts when they appeared at the Twenty Grand Club. In 1972, Wonder called Parker to ask him to play behind him on a tour that he was doing with the Rolling Stones. Parker thought it was a crank call and hung up the phone. Wonder called back and convinced Parker that he was the real deal by singing "Superstition" to him.

Later, Parker played on Wonder's albums Talking Book (1972) and Innervisions (1973). Moving from Detroit to Los Angeles, Parker got into session work, playing on sides by Leon Haywood, Barry White, and arranger Gene Page and working with Motown producer Clarence Paul on Ronnie McNeir's 1976 Motown debut, Love's Comin' Down, and he appeared in the picnic scene in the Bill Cosby/Sidney Poitier comedy classic Uptown Saturday Night.

Deciding to become a recording artist, Parker got a deal with Arista Records in 1977. Not confident on his singing ability, he put together a band that included vocalist Arnell Carmichael, bassist/singer Jerry Knight (who later had his own solo hit with "Overnight Sensation" and as half of Ollie & Jerry, and co-produced hits by the Jets), guitarist Charles Fearing, Larry Tolbert, and Darren Carmichael. However, on record, Parker played most, if not all of the instruments -- although Arnell et al. were paid a retainer so they'd be available if Raydio had a hit record and needed to tour.

His first LP, Raydio, went gold, peaking at number eight R&B in spring 1978. The LP included the number five gold R&B hit single "Jack and Jill" (lead vocal by Jerry Knight), "Is This a Love Thing," and the charting single "Honey I'm Rich." The hits continued with Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio's number four gold Rock On (the single "You Can't Change That" was number three R&B, number nine pop in the spring of 1979); the number six gold R&B Two Places at the Same Time from spring 1980 ("Two Places at the Same Time" was number six R&B in spring 1980); and the number one gold record A Woman Needs Love from 1981 ("A Woman Needs Love [Just Like You Do]" -- the first song Parker sang all the way through without trading vocals -- held the number one R&B spot for two weeks and went number four pop in spring 1981). Then, the Ray Parker Jr. album The Other Woman held the number one R&B, number 11 pop spot in spring 1982 ("The Other Woman" was number two R&B for four weeks).

One of Parker's biggest hits and best-loved songs, "Ghostbusters" was initially submitted for the background score of the Dan Aykroyd/Harold Ramis/Bill Murray/Ernie Hudson comedy. Director Ivan Reitman thought that the song should be released as a single. The "Ghostbusters" music video is one of the funniest and most star-studded videos ever made (breakdancing Bill Murray style). "Ghostbusters" parked at the number one R&B spot for two weeks and the number one pop for three weeks on Billboard's charts in summer 1984. Around this time, Huey Lewis sued Columbia Pictures and Ray Parker Jr. for copyright infringement, claiming that "Ghostbusters" was a ripoff of his recent hit, "I Want a New Drug." Lewis received an out-of-court settlement.

Parker also wrote and produced hits for New Edition ("Mr. Telephone Man" -- Parker originally recorded this with Jr. Tucker for his 1983 self-titled Geffen album), Randy Hall ("I've Been Watching You [Jamie's Girl]," the refreshing "Gentleman"), Cheryl Lynn ("Shake It Up Tonight" from In the Night), Deniece Williams (the 1979 ARC/Columbia LP When Love Comes Calling), Brick (the 1981 Bang LP Summer Heat), and Diana Ross ("Upfront" from her 1983 RCA LP Ross).

Parker left Arista for Geffen and then MCA before returning to Arista because of his relationship with Arista president Clive Davis. ~ Ed Hogan, Rovi

Genres

: theme

Total plays

441.8 million
Updated on 2024-12-17

Monthly listeners

2,225,691

Followers

110,211

Top Cities

  1. Mexico
    22,478 listeners
  2. Brazil
    29,063 listeners
  3. Chile
    28,604 listeners
  4. Australia
    24,531 listeners
  5. Philippines
    30,517 listeners

Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters
371,347,653 4:01 1984-06-08
You Can't Change That
You Can't Change That
13,387,024 3:23 1979-03-01
A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do)
A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do)
11,381,515 4:09 1981-01-01
The Past
The Past
7,735,826 3:30 1987-08-25
Jack and Jill
Jack and Jill
7,661,708 4:34 1978-02-01
Ghostbusters - Instrumental Version
Ghostbusters - Instrumental Version
5,775,477 4:48 1984-06-08
The Other Woman
The Other Woman
3,692,653 4:08 1982-01-01
Still in the Groove
Still in the Groove
2,119,979 6:22 1981-01-01
It's Time to Party Now
It's Time to Party Now
1,652,331 5:01 1980-01-01
Ghostbusters - Extended Version
Ghostbusters - Extended Version
1,047,897 6:07 2010-07-30
For Those Who Like to Groove
For Those Who Like to Groove
978,626 4:32 1980-01-01
More Than One Way to Love a Woman
More Than One Way to Love a Woman
855,586 5:42 1979-01-01
I Wanna Love You
I Wanna Love You
818,464 5:41 2010-01-01
I Still Can't Get Over Loving You
I Still Can't Get Over Loving You
731,665 4:08 1983-01-01
Two Places at the Same Time
Two Places at the Same Time
697,083 3:57 1980-01-01
One Sided Love Affair
One Sided Love Affair
626,171 3:59 1985-05-01
That Old Song
That Old Song
609,165 4:24 1981-01-01
Just Havin' Fun
Just Havin' Fun
567,911 3:21 1982-01-01
Jamie
Jamie
414,345 4:15 1990-01-01
Unbreakable
Unbreakable
366,936 5:46 2017-05-26
People Get Ready
People Get Ready
365,042 3:18 2021-08-20
I Don't Think That Man Should Sleep Alone
I Don't Think That Man Should Sleep Alone
339,835 4:15 1987-08-25
Christmas Time Is Here
Christmas Time Is Here
320,786 3:02 1990-01-01
It's Your Night
It's Your Night
319,705 6:46 1981-01-01
Ghostbusters - "Searchin' for the Spirit" Remix
Ghostbusters - "Searchin' for the Spirit" Remix
317,829 5:28 2018-11-09
Tonight's the Night
Tonight's the Night
287,578 5:11 1980-01-01
Until the Morning Comes
Until the Morning Comes
277,547 4:29 1980-01-01
Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters
266,240 5:41 1992-06-10
Bad Boy
Bad Boy
263,933 4:12 1982-01-01
Hot Stuff
Hot Stuff
233,455 5:16 1979-01-01
A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do) - 7" Version
A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do) - 7" Version
205,594 3:59 1981-01-01
The Hangout
The Hangout
185,981 6:16 2020-04-10
Stars in Your Eyes
Stars in Your Eyes
184,320 5:23 2017-06-30
It's Time to Party Now
It's Time to Party Now
178,865 6:52 1980-01-01
Let's Get Off
Let's Get Off
178,573 4:54 1982-01-01
Get Down
Get Down
173,326 4:25 1978-02-01
Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters
172,428 4:05 2010-05-31
Over You
Over You
171,419 4:40 1987-08-25
What You Won't Do for Love
What You Won't Do for Love
157,918 6:31 2018-07-20
Ghostbusters Remix - Yago Boss Remix
Ghostbusters Remix - Yago Boss Remix
154,363 4:47 2021-03-25
Let Me Go - Single Version
Let Me Go - Single Version
151,585 4:12 1990-01-01
Rockin' After Midnight
Rockin' After Midnight
150,436 6:12 2017-06-30
It's Our Own Affair
It's Our Own Affair
144,527 3:52 1982-01-01
Jack and Jill (Back Up the Hill) - 1982 Version
Jack and Jill (Back Up the Hill) - 1982 Version
140,856 8:24 1978-02-01
So into You
So into You
137,500 4:31 1981-01-01
All in the Way You Get Down
All in the Way You Get Down
137,388 3:56 1981-01-01
Let Me Go
Let Me Go
136,984 5:04 1982-01-01
Old Pro
Old Pro
134,899 4:46 1981-01-01
GHOSTBUSTERS
GHOSTBUSTERS
128,423 2:56 2022-02-16
Stay the Night
Stay the Night
124,633 4:03 1982-01-01
You Can't Fight What You Feel
You Can't Fight What You Feel
121,387 5:53 1981-01-01
Mismaloya Beach
Mismaloya Beach
119,450 4:06 2006-01-01
The Other Woman - Extended Version
The Other Woman - Extended Version
106,885 5:53 1982-01-01
I Don't Want to Know
I Don't Want to Know
106,405 4:30 1983-01-01
Get Down on the Funk
Get Down on the Funk
105,847 4:03 2017-06-30
Street Love
Street Love
96,614 5:31 1982-01-01
Girls Are More Fun - Single Version
Girls Are More Fun - Single Version
93,826 4:29 1990-01-01
Rock On
Rock On
86,644 5:05 1979-01-01
The People Next Door
The People Next Door
78,235 4:27 2018-11-09
It's Your Night - 7" Version
It's Your Night - 7" Version
77,876 3:58 1981-01-01
What You Waitin' For
What You Waitin' For
73,768 4:11 1979-01-01
Bow Down
Bow Down
72,950 4:47 2017-06-30
Lovin' You
Lovin' You
70,371 4:10 1987-08-25
Is This a Love Thing
Is This a Love Thing
70,252 6:15 1978-02-01
Electronic Lover
Electronic Lover
69,462 4:27 1983-01-01
All in the Way You Get Down - Remixed Version
All in the Way You Get Down - Remixed Version
68,625 4:43 1981-01-01
Stop, Look Before You Love
Stop, Look Before You Love
68,203 3:60 1982-01-01
Rum Punch
Rum Punch
66,753 4:18 2006-01-01
Goin' Thru School and Love
Goin' Thru School and Love
66,261 4:16 1979-01-01
After Midnite
After Midnite
65,296 4:03 1987-08-25
A Little Bit of You
A Little Bit of You
64,694 4:23 1980-01-01
In the Heat of the Night
In the Heat of the Night
60,912 4:15 1983-01-01
Everybody Makes Mistakes
Everybody Makes Mistakes
56,974 4:59 1980-01-01
Glass Of Wine
Glass Of Wine
56,301 3:34 2006-01-01
M-Funk
M-Funk
55,319 3:42 2020-02-14
More Than One Way to Love a Woman - Single Version
More Than One Way to Love a Woman - Single Version
54,476 3:29 1979-03-01
Perfect Lovers
Perfect Lovers
51,517 4:53 1987-08-25
Betcha Can't Love Me Just Once
Betcha Can't Love Me Just Once
46,772 3:51 1978-02-01
Honey I'm Rich
Honey I'm Rich
45,910 3:12 1978-02-01
M-Funk
M-Funk
45,255 4:56 2018-06-08
When You're In Need of Love
When You're In Need of Love
42,270 6:14 1979-01-01
Woman Out of Control
Woman Out of Control
42,105 4:14 1983-01-01
Honey I'm a Star
Honey I'm a Star
38,409 3:39 1979-01-01
Can't Keep from Crying
Can't Keep from Crying
37,708 3:41 1980-01-01
You Need This To (To Satisfy That)
You Need This To (To Satisfy That)
37,016 4:36 1978-02-01
Me
Me
37,006 5:01 1978-02-01
N2U2
N2U2
36,892 3:50 1983-01-01
Mexico
Mexico
33,441 4:07 2006-01-01
Let's Go All the Way
Let's Go All the Way
33,192 3:28 1978-02-01
She Still Feels the Need
She Still Feels the Need
30,905 4:06 1983-01-01
Last Night
Last Night
28,408 8:08 2011-01-01
Waiting for Your Love - Alternate Version
Waiting for Your Love - Alternate Version
26,434 5:05 2021-03-05
Wooh (feat. Ray Parker Jr.)
Wooh (feat. Ray Parker Jr.)
26,106 4:05 2016-04-22
Mess About It (feat. Ray Parker Jr. & Jon Batiste)
Mess About It (feat. Ray Parker Jr. & Jon Batiste)
25,355 5:49 2023-06-16
The Other Woman - Instrumental
The Other Woman - Instrumental
24,640 5:55 1982-01-01
The Guitar Man
The Guitar Man
24,366 4:08 2006-01-01
Girls Are More Fun
Girls Are More Fun
24,027 4:49 1985-05-01
You Shoulda Kept A Spare
You Shoulda Kept A Spare
23,611 4:49 1987-08-25
Is This a Love Thing - Single Version
Is This a Love Thing - Single Version
20,029 3:47 1978-02-01
Sunset Ray
Sunset Ray
19,884 4:07 2006-01-01
I Love Your Daughter
I Love Your Daughter
18,983 3:45 1987-08-25
Sooner Or Later (feat. Anthony Hamilton, Ray Parker Jr. & Rev. Charles Hodges)
Sooner Or Later (feat. Anthony Hamilton, Ray Parker Jr. & Rev. Charles Hodges)
18,708 5:04 2023-06-16
Invasion
Invasion
18,610 7:31 1983-01-01
After Dark
After Dark
18,506 4:28 1987-08-25
I'm Free
I'm Free
18,159 4:05 2006-01-01
Ocean View (feat. Ray Parker Jr.)
Ocean View (feat. Ray Parker Jr.)
18,072 6:47 2014-04-09
Middle Age Crisis
Middle Age Crisis
17,094 4:21 2006-01-01
You Make My Nature Dance
You Make My Nature Dance
15,830 4:32 1987-08-25
Down in New Orleans
Down in New Orleans
14,021 5:45 2013-01-01
The Book
The Book
13,787 4:22 2006-01-01
Forgive Me
Forgive Me
13,100 4:11 2006-01-01
A Woman Needs Love
A Woman Needs Love
12,540 3:48 2006-09-19
Gibson's Theme
Gibson's Theme
11,834 4:10 2006-01-01
Theme - From "Ghostbusters"
Theme - From "Ghostbusters"
9,806 3:24 2024-10-07
Creole Joe
Creole Joe
9,289 4:24 2013-01-01
Everybody Wants Someone
Everybody Wants Someone
8,798 4:40 1985-05-01
Waiting for Your Love - Radio Version
Waiting for Your Love - Radio Version
8,367 3:32 2021-03-05
The Other Woman - Acoustic Cover
The Other Woman - Acoustic Cover
8,061 2:54 2019-03-26
Louisiana Lovin'
Louisiana Lovin'
7,964 4:01 2013-01-01
Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters
7,892 2:50 2011-07-07
Louisiana Woman - Texas Man
Louisiana Woman - Texas Man
7,201 4:59 2013-01-01
I'm In Love
I'm In Love
7,157 4:39 1985-05-01
Have It Anyway You Want It
Have It Anyway You Want It
6,723 4:18 2020-09-18
Sex and the Single Man
Sex and the Single Man
6,703 4:24 1985-05-01
Zydeco Train
Zydeco Train
6,697 4:34 2013-01-01
If Anybody Asks You
If Anybody Asks You
6,250 4:19 2013-01-01
Fight of Our Life
Fight of Our Life
6,163 3:54 2024-04-05
Jambalaya Jumble
Jambalaya Jumble
6,058 4:09 2013-01-01
Good Time Baby
Good Time Baby
5,216 4:33 1985-05-01
Men Have Feelings Too
Men Have Feelings Too
5,190 4:30 1985-05-01
Boomti, Boomti, Boom Boom
Boomti, Boomti, Boom Boom
5,117 4:10 2013-01-01
Zydeco Zoo
Zydeco Zoo
5,078 4:14 2013-01-01
You Look Better Goin' Than Comin'
You Look Better Goin' Than Comin'
4,549 5:33 2013-01-01
I'm A Dog
I'm A Dog
4,369 4:14 1985-05-01
She Needs To Get Some - Remixed Club Version
She Needs To Get Some - Remixed Club Version
3,992 5:43 2018-12-26
Down Home, Lown Down Zydeco Blues
Down Home, Lown Down Zydeco Blues
3,897 4:60 2013-01-01
Pieces (feat. Ray Parker Jr)
Pieces (feat. Ray Parker Jr)
3,060 3:46 2014-08-07
I Love You Like You Are
I Love You Like You Are
2,849 4:17 1991-01-01
She Needs To Get Some
She Needs To Get Some
2,422 5:10 1991-01-01
Til I Met You
Til I Met You
2,299 4:24 1991-01-01
Love Is The Answer
Love Is The Answer
2,140 4:17 2012-05-29
Sugar Babe
Sugar Babe
1,853 3:50 2012-05-29
Keep On Doin' What You're Doin'
Keep On Doin' What You're Doin'
1,847 3:25 2012-05-29
Ain't Gone Go For That
Ain't Gone Go For That
1,759 5:04 1991-01-01
Out Of Many, One People
Out Of Many, One People
1,537 4:17 2012-05-29
Angel
Angel
1,499 4:46 1991-01-01
Barry's Gold
Barry's Gold
1,431 5:07 2004-06-01
Love, Sex And Money
Love, Sex And Money
1,402 4:24 1991-01-01
Love Is All I Need
Love Is All I Need
1,401 4:45 2012-05-29
Brown Eyes
Brown Eyes
1,386 4:29 2012-05-29
Let's Go Back To Bed
Let's Go Back To Bed
1,358 4:36 1991-01-01
No Matter What Happens
No Matter What Happens
1,302 4:44 1991-01-01
Love Is So Strange
Love Is So Strange
1,255 5:24 1991-01-01
Yesterday
Yesterday
1,255 4:37 1991-01-01
Girl I Saw You
Girl I Saw You
1,212 4:32 1991-01-01
It's Your Night - Club Mix
It's Your Night - Club Mix
1,210 6:36 2009-01-01
Ménage à trois
Ménage à trois
1,193 4:04 2012-05-29
Square One
Square One
1,097 5:46 1991-01-01
Red Bulbs
Red Bulbs
1,078 3:27 2012-05-29
It's Me
It's Me
1,054 4:07 2012-05-29
That's The Way It Should Be
That's The Way It Should Be
< 1000 2:42 2012-05-29
The Other Woman - Acoustic Cover
The Other Woman - Acoustic Cover
< 1000 3:41 2019-04-09

New releases

Ghostbusters Remix (Yago Boss Remix)
Ghostbusters Remix (Yago Boss Remix)
2021-03-25
[Sonno Records]
The Essential Ray Parker Jr & Raydio
The Essential Ray Parker Jr & Raydio
2018-11-09
[RCA/Legacy]
I'm Free
I'm Free
2006-01-01
[Raydio Music]
Arista Heritage Series: Ray Parker
Arista Heritage Series: Ray Parker
2000-02-08
[Arista]
Arista Heritage Series: Ray Parker
Arista Heritage Series: Ray Parker
2000-01-01
[Arista]
Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits
1993-10-12
[Arista/Legacy]
I Love You Like You Are
I Love You Like You Are
1991-01-01
[Geffen]
Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits
1990-01-01
[Arista]
After Dark
After Dark
1987-08-25
[Geffen]
Sex and the Single Man
Sex and the Single Man
1985-05-01
[Arista/Legacy]
Woman Out of Control (Expanded Edition)
Woman Out of Control (Expanded Edition)
1983-01-01
[Legacy Recordings]
The Other Woman (Expanded Edition)
The Other Woman (Expanded Edition)
1982-01-01
[Legacy Recordings]
A Woman Needs Love (Expanded Edition)
A Woman Needs Love (Expanded Edition)
1981-01-01
[Legacy Recordings]
Two Places at the Same Time (Expanded Edition)
Two Places at the Same Time (Expanded Edition)
1980-01-01
[Legacy Recordings]