THEME = movie tunes: ‘Footloose’, ‘Ghostbusters’ & ‘La Bamba’
This week’s entry features songs from Kenny Loggins, Ray Parker Jr & Los Lobos….
#1 ‘Footloose’
For this movie, “Footloose” was co-written & recorded by Kenny Loggins. Released 01/28/1984 as the 1st of 2 singles from the film, this song claimed #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 3 weeks. Internationally, it reached the Top Spot in Australia, Canada & New Zealand, while peaking in the Top 10 in Austria (#8), Germany (#4), Switzerland (#4) & England (#6).
FYI: this movie (loosely based on events in Elmore City OK) reached theaters ~1 month later, 02/17/1984. The film stars Kevin Bacon, Lori Singer, Sarah Jessica Parker & John Lithgow. Tom Cruise & Rob Lowe were originally considered for the lead role.
#2 ‘Ghostbusters’
For this movie, “Ghostbusters” was written & performed by Ray Parker Jr, who wrote the song in just a few days, inspired by watching a cheap commercial for a local service. Released May 1984, this single claimed #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 3 weeks. It also notched at #9 on the Adult Contemporary, #6 on the Dance Club & #1 on the R&B charts. Internationally, it hit the Top Spot in Belgium, Canada, France, South Africa & Spain, while reaching the Top 10 of 13 more charts. Celebrities who join in the chorus include Chevy Chase, Irene Cara, John Candy, Melissa Gilbert, George Wendt, Al Franken, Danny DeVito, Carly Simon, Peter Falk & Teri Garr.
FYI: this movie hit theaters June 1984 & is critically acclaimed as 1 of the best films of that year. It stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd (co-wrote it), Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, Rick Moranis & Annie Potts. Aykroyd & Harold Ramis wrote the roles especially for John Belushi & John Candy, but Belushi died before the screenplay was completed & Candy would not commit. So, Aykroyd & Ramis tweaked it.
#3 ‘La Bamba’
For this movie, “La Bamba” was covered by Los Lobos. This song, adapted from a Mexican folk song, was originally a Top 50 hit for Ritchie Valens (1958). Los Lobos’ version hit the airwaves 07/20/1987 & claimed #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 & Latin Songs charts, while reaching #4 on the Adult Contemporary & #11 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks charts. Internationally, it hit the Top Spot in 9 other countries: Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland & England.
FYI: this movie was released 07/24/1987, 4 days after the title song. The biographical film follows the life & career of Ritchie Valens & stars Lou Diamond Phillips (as Valens), Esai Morales, Rosanna DeSoto, Joe Pantoliano, Rick Dees, Marshall Crenshaw & Brian Setzer.