# 1983 Ghostbusters Theme Song **URL:** \ **Category:** General Ghostbusters Discussion\ **Created:** [June 13, 2021, 4:11pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/1983-ghostbusters-theme-song/25151 "2021-06-13T16:11:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![deadderek](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/deadderek/32/98787_2.png) [@deadderek](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/deadderek)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2021, 4:11pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/1983-ghostbusters-theme-song/25151/1 "2021-06-13T16:11:17Z")
So guys the entire original Ghostbusters Theme demo by Hughes/Thrall came out on soundcloud. [![](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/2/0/20e715828bb6b8f0ed751219e52e4c6d46ce371a.jpeg "1983 original Ghostbusters Theme demo by Hughes/Thrall.") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LB3pM3MCYB0) ---
**Author:** ![kingpin](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/kingpin/32/188026_2.png) [@kingpin](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/kingpin)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2021, 4:33pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/1983-ghostbusters-theme-song/25151/2 "2021-06-13T16:33:43Z")
Kinda instantly forgettable, isn’t it? Still, interesting thing to have pop up out of the blue. ---
**Author:** ![zeta-otaku](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/zeta-otaku/32/186411_2.png) [@zeta-otaku](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/zeta-otaku)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2021, 6:19pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/1983-ghostbusters-theme-song/25151/3 "2021-06-13T18:19:57Z")
That was… something? I’d still listen to it over Fallout Boy’s cover. ---
**Author:** ![doclathropbrown](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/doclathropbrown/32/187188_2.png) [@doclathropbrown](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/doclathropbrown)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2021, 6:45pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/1983-ghostbusters-theme-song/25151/4 "2021-06-13T18:45:21Z")
Dear lord, was that awful. That said, I thought this was gonna be the song from the NATO reel (“Cool heads/under fire/take it back to the Ghost-busters!”) and it wasn’t. This is now a THIRD prototype song?? And this honestly puts Parker Jr.'s statement that he came up with the “advertisement” angle to bed. Two of the prototype songs have a “sales pitch/call the Ghostbusters” element to them. I assume then that that approach was invented by Reitman and it was imparted to everyone who wrote a theme song. I figure Parker just misremembers and assumes it was his idea. Though clearly he did it the best. ---
**Author:** ![CT1983](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/d9b06d/32.png) [@CT1983](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/CT1983)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2021, 3:15am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/1983-ghostbusters-theme-song/25151/5 "2021-06-14T03:15:46Z")
This song is for an alternate cut where Gozer is portrayed by teenage Robert Downey Jr and he’s dumping icees off Dana’s roof while his wealthy depressed roommate Vinz, played by Keith Gordon, doesn’t make the dive team instead of being turned into a dog. ---
**Author:** ![ghoulishfright](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/a88e57/32.png) [@ghoulishfright](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/ghoulishfright)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2021, 4:18am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/1983-ghostbusters-theme-song/25151/6 "2021-06-14T04:18:42Z")
Kinda sounds like a B-side to Weird Al Yankovic’s _Dare to be Stupid_ album. ---
**Author:** ![910dohead](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/910dohead/32/38855_2.png) [@910dohead](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/910dohead)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2021, 4:22am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/1983-ghostbusters-theme-song/25151/7 "2021-06-14T04:22:53Z")
I said the same thing when someone in our group shared it. Forgettable and not very good. I mean it’s okay in its own right but wouldn’t carry the film like Ray Parker Jr.'s song did/does. Also, it kind of gives off the same vibes as the Spaceballs song. ---
**Author:** ![mrmichaelt](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/mrmichaelt/32/188045_2.png) [@mrmichaelt](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/mrmichaelt)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2021, 7:49am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/1983-ghostbusters-theme-song/25151/8 "2021-06-14T07:49:33Z")
While I am stoked this mystery song is finally released in full and a piece of history is now public… it makes me appreciate all the tracks on the soundtrack a bit more… ---
**Author:** ![Coover5](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/a4c791/32.png) [@Coover5](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Coover5)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2021, 10:22am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/1983-ghostbusters-theme-song/25151/9 "2021-06-14T10:22:04Z")
I like it but not as the theme to “our” Ghostbusters. I listen to it and picture the film that belongs with the song… It starts off similar to GB84. [Ray Stantz](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/characters/ray-stantz) and [Egon Spengler](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/characters/egon-spengler) are 25 year-old college students who are into the paranormal. After discovering a [librarian ghost](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/games/ghostbusters-the-video-game/ghosts/librarian-ghost) at the college library Egon convinces Ray to some of his tuition money to buy parts to make a [proton pack](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack) and traps. They hire engineering student [Winston Zeddemore](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/characters/winston-zeddemore) to build them. As they grow in popularity around campus ladies man [Peter Venkman](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/characters/peter-venkman) wants in on the action and joins the group. Instead of a Gozer plot the climax of the film comes from this team’s lack of a [containment unit](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/containment-unit). They are using a trap and release program. They trap the ghost then release them in an abandon warehouse (since the ghosts haunt location they are simply stuck where they are released) What the boys in grey don’t realize is the ghosts are unifying into one large spectral being (think Jojo the Klownzilla) and if they don’t stop it in time it will have the chance to break free. The group is nearly split apart by Egon kicking Peter out before the climax because he thinks Peter is just a hinderance but Peter shows he is there to help by selling his convertible to get the guys their parts for more packs. ---
**Author:** ![EddieSpenser](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/7c8e57/32.png) [@EddieSpenser](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/EddieSpenser)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2021, 5:10pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/1983-ghostbusters-theme-song/25151/10 "2021-06-14T17:10:37Z")
Well, I’m quite lost… and disappointed. Has THIS 👇song ever been released ? [![](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/2X/e/e8c533cf6f2f1674de87f18ff0737433634a7875.jpeg "Ghostbusters Teaser Trailer") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsJlXMZoMSc) ---
**Author:** ![kingpin](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/kingpin/32/188026_2.png) [@kingpin](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/kingpin)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2021, 8:08pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/1983-ghostbusters-theme-song/25151/11 "2021-06-14T20:08:18Z")
> [@EddieSpenser post\_id=4950621 time=1623690637 user\_id=46836](#): > > Well, I’m quite lost… and disappointed. > > Has THIS 👇song ever been released ? > > [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsJlXMZoMSc](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsJlXMZoMSc) To date that song’s never been released, it remains an enigma as we don’t even know who penned it (it was previously believed to the the Hughes/Thrall track until they recently corrected our understanding on the subject). ---
**Author:** ![South\_Suburbs\_GBFan](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/b782af/32.png) [@South\_Suburbs\_GBFan](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/South_Suburbs_GBFan)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2021, 8:57pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/1983-ghostbusters-theme-song/25151/12 "2021-06-14T20:57:12Z")
> [@CT1983 post\_id=4950610 time=1623640546 user\_id=53409](#): > > This song is for an alternate cut where Gozer is portrayed by teenage Robert Downey Jr and he’s dumping icees off Dana’s roof while his wealthy depressed roommate Vinz, played by Keith Gordon, doesn’t make the dive team instead of being turned into a dog. Could be worse. Gozer could have been played by Jon Cryer. As I said on one of the Facebook threads, it sounds like an “alternative” theme from one of those .45 RPM storybooks, like “Ghostbustin’ Machine” from Ghostbusters Meet the Laser Ghost. ---
**Author:** ![doclathropbrown](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/doclathropbrown/32/187188_2.png) [@doclathropbrown](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/doclathropbrown)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2021, 2:38am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/1983-ghostbusters-theme-song/25151/13 "2021-06-15T02:38:30Z")
Ranking the theme songs… RPJ is obviously the winner, so him aside… 1. Teaser song – the brave, the best, the only… one we don’t have. Shame, from the (very) little we can hear, it sounds pretty awesome. Has some atmospheric lyrics and keeps the “call” idea. 2. NATO song – A step down. But has kind of a cool beat and I like the up-tempo cadence. Lyrics seem a little dumb, but there’s a reason it didn’t get picked, right? 3. Hughes/Thrall – What a stinker… But! Not the worst… 4. “Ghostbustin’ Machine” – Truly heinous. Were they even trying? ---
**Author:** ![spaceballz](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/spaceballz/32/187389_2.png) [@spaceballz](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/spaceballz)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2021, 7:30am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/1983-ghostbusters-theme-song/25151/14 "2021-06-15T07:30:02Z")
…Reitman was right on telling them “No thanks” for that song. ---
**Author:** ![ghostware](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/ghostware/32/188009_2.png) [@ghostware](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/ghostware)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2021, 9:16am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/1983-ghostbusters-theme-song/25151/15 "2021-06-15T09:16:38Z")
While this song is horrible, it’s still better then Fall out boys theme song. As far as unreleased songs go this thing could have stayed buried but it’s nice to that Dan took the time to find a more jauntier tune to develop. Maybe one day we’ll get the full version of Trapped in my Mind, and no it wasn’t done by Twisted Sister. [![](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/3/8/38e1cdb986073c98cd2f66f38df1a82b0bae5f91.jpeg "more from Twisted Sister") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjBjUMv5f88) ---
**Author:** ![RedSpecial](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/redspecial/32/3978_2.png) [@RedSpecial](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/RedSpecial)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2021, 1:14pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/1983-ghostbusters-theme-song/25151/16 "2021-06-15T13:14:37Z")
It seems more like something that’d be featured in short form in an episode of RGB but I’m really glad they went with the Ray Parker Jr version. ---
**Author:** ![ghostytheghost](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/ghostytheghost/32/4040_2.png) [@ghostytheghost](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/ghostytheghost)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2021, 1:27pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/1983-ghostbusters-theme-song/25151/17 "2021-06-15T13:27:07Z")
> [@DocLathropBrown post\_id=4950630 time=1623724710 user\_id=2012](#): > > Ranking the theme songs… RPJ is obviously the winner, so him aside… > > 1. Teaser song – the brave, the best, the only… one we don’t have. Shame, from the (very) little we can hear, it sounds pretty awesome. Has some atmospheric lyrics and keeps the “call” idea. > > 2. NATO song – A step down. But has kind of a cool beat and I like the up-tempo cadence. Lyrics seem a little dumb, but there’s a reason it didn’t get picked, right? > > 3. Hughes/Thrall – What a stinker… But! Not the worst… > > 4. “Ghostbustin’ Machine” – Truly heinous. Were they even trying? I really doubt that Ghostbustin’ Machine song was made for the movie, at least I hope that was only for that crappy book. Also, what’s NATO and is it representing the ShoWest reel? I tried looking them up and I couldn’t find anything. ---
**Author:** ![doclathropbrown](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/doclathropbrown/32/187188_2.png) [@doclathropbrown](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/doclathropbrown)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2021, 3:27pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/1983-ghostbusters-theme-song/25151/18 "2021-06-15T15:27:15Z")
> [@Ghostytheghost post\_id=4950639 time=1623763627 user\_id=44635](#): > > I really doubt that Ghostbustin’ Machine song was made for the movie, at least I hope that was only for that crappy book. Also, what’s NATO and is it representing the ShoWest reel? I tried looking them up and I couldn’t find anything. Oh no, “Ghostbustin’ Machine” isn’t for the film. I’m just ranking the different theme songs GB has had over time (not counting covers of RPJ’s theme). And my mistake, I thought the convention the promo reel was for was a NATO presentation (National Association of Theater Owners) but no, I meant ShoWest. ---
**Author:** ![South\_Suburbs\_GBFan](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/b782af/32.png) [@South\_Suburbs\_GBFan](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/South_Suburbs_GBFan)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2021, 3:46pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/1983-ghostbusters-theme-song/25151/19 "2021-06-15T15:46:29Z")
> [@DocLathropBrown post\_id=4950630 time=1623724710 user\_id=2012](#): > > 1. “Ghostbustin’ Machine” – Truly heinous. Were they even trying? Though it becomes _much_ better if you sing it to the tune of the “Irish Drinking Song” from _Whose Line Is It Anyway?_😊 ---
**Author:** ![alex-newborn](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/alex-newborn/32/4017_2.png) [@alex-newborn](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/alex-newborn)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2021, 4:14pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/1983-ghostbusters-theme-song/25151/20 "2021-06-15T16:14:36Z")
I only had a couple of minutes Sunday morning to give this a listen before heading to a 12-hour shift at work. I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who instantly compared it to the song from Ghostbusters Meet the Laser Ghost. [![](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/3/e/3edb0d3bacbcaf47c005ea72683da3335755a44c.jpeg "REACTION: The REAL Hughes/Thrall Ghostbusters Demo from 1983") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q99CZJVVW14) Alex [Next page](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/1983-ghostbusters-theme-song/25151.md?page=2)