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]

Contents

Ghostbusters II

Ghostbusters II
Ghostbusters II Soundtrack.png
Soundtrack album by
various artists
ReleasedJune 12, 1989
Genre New jack swing [4]
Length44:55
Label MCA
Ghostbusters soundtracks chronology
Ghostbusters: Original Soundtrack Album
(1984)
Ghostbusters II
(1989)
Ghostbusters: Original Motion Picture Score
(2006)
Singles from Ghostbusters II
  1. "On Our Own"
    Released: June 22, 1989
  2. "Ghostbusters"
    Released: July 12, 1989

Development

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.TitleWriter(s)PerformerLength
1."On Our Own" Bobby Brown 4:05
2."Supernatural"
New Edition 2:57
3."The Promised Land" James "J.T." Taylor 3:22
4."We're Back"
  • Bobby Brown
  • Dennis Austin
  • Larry White
  • Kirk Crumpler
Bobby Brown5:10
5."Spirit" Doug E. Fresh & The Get Fresh Crew4:14
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"
  • Gary Lee Jackson
  • Carl William Smith
  • Raynard Miner
Howard Huntsberry 4:09
Total length:44:55

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for Ghostbusters II
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

1989 year-end chart performance for Ghostbusters II
Chart (1989)Position
Canada Top Albums/CDs ( RPM ) [16] 86
US Billboard 200 [17] 98

Certifications

Certifications and sales for Ghostbusters II
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [18] Gold50,000^
United States (RIAA) [19] Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Ghostbusters II: Original Motion Picture Score

Ghostbusters II: Original Motion Picture Score
Ghostbusters II Score Soundtrack.png
Film score by
ReleasedAugust 13, 2021
Recorded1989
Genre Film score
Length51:27
Label Sony Classical
Producer Randy Edelman
Ghostbusters soundtracks chronology
Ghostbusters: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
(2016)
Ghostbusters II: Original Motion Picture Score
(2021)
Ghostbusters: Afterlife: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
(2021)

Development

Randy Edelman composed the score for Ghostbusters II. [20] [21] It was one of Edelman's first experiences working with a large scale orchestra. Although familiar with Ghostbusters, he chose not to re-watch it for inspiration so the sequel would have its own unique sound. Edelman believed the distinct personalities of the existing characters meant they rarely needed a musical accompaniment, and instead focused his efforts on scoring the supernatural and action setpieces to represent the menace and "dark nature of the evil Carpathian". [22]

Track listing

All music is composed by Randy Edelman.

No.TitleLength
1."A Few Friends Save Manhattan"2:00
2."A Baby Carriage Meets Heavy Traffic"2:00
3."Venkman's 6th Avenue Strut"3:04
4."Order in the Court"3:46
5."He's Got Carpathian Eyes"2:32
6."The Sensitive Side of Dana"4:07
7."In Liberty's Shadow"3:47
8."Rooftop Broom Kidnap"3:47
9."The Scoleri Brothers"2:17
10."Oscar is Quietly Surrounded"4:22
11."A Slime Darkened Doorway"2:23
12."One Leaky Sewer Faucet"1:11
13."Vigo's Last Stand"3:01
14."Good with Kids"1:22
15."Enlightenment"1:32
16."Family Portrait - Finale"3:48
Total length:45:07

See also

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