On this day in 1984: Ray Parker Jr. started a three week run at #1 on the U.S. singles chart with the theme from the film ‘Ghostbusters’. Parker who had been a session guitarist for Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye was accused of plagiarizing the melody from the Huey Lewis and the News song ‘I Want a New Drug’, resulting in Lewis suing Parker, the pair settled out of court in 1985.

Let’s take a look at the complete Top 20 from this day in 1984:

1 2 GHOSTBUSTERS –•– Ray Parker, Jr. (Arista)-9 (1 Week at #1) (1)
2 1 WHEN DOVES CRY –•– Prince (Warner Brothers)-11 (1)
3 3 STATE OF SHOCK –•– The Jacksons with Mick Jagger (Epic)-7 (3)
4 5 WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT –•– Tina Turner (Capitol)-13 (4)
5 7 SAD SONGS (Say So Much) –•– Elton John (Geffen)-10 (5)
6 8 STUCK ON YOU –•– Lionel Richie (Motown)-8 (6)
7 4 DANCING IN THE DARK –•– Bruce Springsteen (Columbia)-12 (2)
8 10 I CAN DREAM ABOUT YOU –•– Dan Hartman (MCA)-15 (8)
9 6 INFATUATION –•– Rod Stewart (Warner Brothers)-12 (6)
10 17 SUNGLASSES AT NIGHT –•– Corey Hart (EMI-America)-12 (10)

11 9 BREAKIN’… THERE’S NO STOPPING US –•– Ollie & Jerry (Polydor)-11 (9)
12 23 MISSING YOU –•– John Waite (EMI-America)-8 (12)
13 15 IF EVER YOU’RE IN MY ARMS AGAIN –•–Peabo Bryson (Elektra)-14 (13)
14 12 LEGS –•– ZZ Top (Warner Brothers)-13 (8)
15 16 PANAMA –•– Van Halen (Warner Brothers)-8 (15)
16 11 EYES WITHOUT A FACE –•– Billy Idol (Chrysalis)-15 (4)
17 19 ROUND AND ROUND –•– Ratt (Atlantic)-9 (17)
18 13 JUMP (For My Love) –•– The Pointer Sisters (Planet)-16 (3)
19 29 IF THIS IS IT –•– Huey Lewis & The News (Chrysalis)-4 (19)
20 34 SHE BOP –•– Cyndi Lauper (Portrait)-4 (20)