Ghostbusters II (soundtrack)
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Ghostbusters II is the soundtrack album for the film of the same name, released by MCA Records in 1989.[1] The soundtrack includes the Billboard Hot 100 number two hit "On Our Own" performed by Bobby Brown, as well as Run-D.M.C.'s rendition of "Ghostbusters". The film score, Ghostbusters II: Original Motion Picture Score is composed by Randy Edelman.[2] Since the release of the film in 1989, the complete film score was unreleased, until it was finally released on August 13, 2021.[3]
Development
| Ghostbusters II | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Soundtrack album by various artists | ||||
| Released | June 12, 1989 | |||
| Genre | New jack swing[4] | |||
| Length | 44:55 | |||
| Label | MCA | |||
| Ghostbusters soundtracks chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Ghostbusters II | ||||
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Ray Parker Jr. helped develop an updated version of his hit song "Ghostbusters", performed by Run-D.M.C.[5][6] Aiming to replicate the success of the original soundtrack, producer Peter Afterman wanted to hire Bobby Brown, who had a recent succession of hit songs.[7][8] To secure Brown's involvement, Afterman offered Brown's music label, MCA Records, the rights to the soundtrack. Brown agreed in exchange for receiving a role in the film. Filming had nearly concluded at that time, but Reitman wrote Brown a cameo as the mayor's doorman.[8][7][9]
Brown worked with Dennis Austin, Larry White and Kirk Crumpler to write and produce "We're Back".[10] Other songs on the soundtrack include "Flip City" by Glenn Frey, "Spirit" by Doug E. Fresh & The Get Fresh Crew, and "Love is a Cannibal" by Elton John. The song "Flesh 'n Blood" by composer Danny Elfman and Oingo Boingo was written for the film but Elfman said he was disappointed that only four musical bars of it were used. He thought the small usage was an excuse to be able to release it on the soundtrack and said if he had known he would have pulled the song.[11][12]
Singles
Two singles were released from the album, Bobby Brown's "On Our Own" and Run-D.M.C.'s "Ghostbusters". Brown's single performed better, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100, while Run-D.M.C.'s did not chart. Music videos were released for both.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Performer | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "On Our Own" | Bobby Brown | 4:53 | |
| 2. | "Supernatural" |
| New Edition | 4:34 |
| 3. | "The Promised Land" | James "J.T." Taylor | 3:22 | |
| 4. | "We're Back" |
| Bobby Brown | 5:10 |
| 5. | "Spirit" | Doug E. Fresh & The Get Fresh Crew | 4:14 | |
| 6. | "Ghostbusters" | Ray Parker Jr. | Run-D.M.C. | 4:10 |
| 7. | "Flesh 'n Blood" | Danny Elfman | Oingo Boingo | 4:17 |
| 8. | "Love is a Cannibal" | Elton John | 3:53 | |
| 9. | "Flip City" | Glenn Frey | 3:31 | |
| 10. | "Higher and Higher" |
| Howard Huntsberry | 4:09 |
| Total length: | 44:55 | |||
The movie includes two versions of the song "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher": Jackie Wilson's original version was used during the dancing toaster scene, and a cover by Howard Huntsberry was used during the Statue of Liberty scene. The soundtrack only included the Howard Huntsberry version.
Weekly charts
| Chart (1989) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[13] | 18 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[14] | 48 |
| US Billboard 200[15] | 14 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1989) | Position |
|---|---|
| Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[16] | 86 |
| US Billboard 200[17] | 98 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[18] | Gold | 50,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[19] | Gold | 500,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
