Ghostbusters – English Lyrics

• By: Ray Parker Jr.

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the world of 80s nostalgia with Ray Parker Jr.'s "Ghostbusters," a fun and iconic theme song that not only topped the charts but also became a cultural touchstone . Learn about the creative process, the controversies, and the lasting impact of this memorable tune that continues to resonate with fans of all ages . Discover how a simple movie theme turned into a global phenomenon, teaching us about rhythm, catchy hooks, and the power of a good call-and-response .

[English]

Ghostbusters!

If there's somethin' strange

In your neighborhood

Who ya gonna call?

(Ghostbusters!)

If it's somethin' weird

And it don't look good

Who ya gonna call?

(Ghostbusters!)

...

I ain't afraid of no ghost

...

I ain't afraid of no ghost

...

If you're seein' things

Runnin' through your head

Who can you call?

(Ghostbusters!)

An invisible man

Sleepin' in your bed

Oh, who ya gonna call?

(Ghostbusters!)

...

I ain't afraid of no ghost

...

I ain't afraid of no ghost

...

Who ya gonna call?

(Ghostbusters!)

If you're all alone

Pick up the phone

And call

(Ghostbusters!)

...

I ain't afraid of no ghost

I hear it likes the girls

I ain't afraid of no ghost

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

...

Who you gonna call?

(Ghostbusters!)

Mmm, if you've had a dose

Of a freaky ghost baby

You better call

(Ghostbusters!)

...

Let me tell you somethin'

Bustin' makes me feel good

...

I ain't afraid of no ghost

...

I ain't afraid of no ghost

Don't get caught alone, oh no

(Ghostbusters!)

When he comes through your door

Unless you just want some more

I think you better call

(Ghostbusters!)

Oh, who you gonna call? (Ghostbusters!)

Who you gonna call? (Ghostbusters!)

Ah, think you better call (Ghostbusters!)

Who you gonna call? (Ghostbusters!)

I can't hear you

Who you gonna call? (Ghostbusters!)

Louder (Ghostbusters!)

Who you gonna call? (Ghostbusters!)

Who can you call? (Ghostbusters!)

Who you gonna call? (Ghostbusters!)

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
ghost /ɡoʊst/ A2	noun - the soul of a dead person or animal that can appear, in visible form or otherwise, to the living.
call /kɔːl/ A1	verb - to cry out; to speak loudly
strange /streɪndʒ/ A2	adjective - unusual or surprising; difficult to understand or explain
neighborhood /ˈneɪbərˌhʊd/ A2	noun - a district or community within a town or city
weird /wɪərd/ B1	adjective - very strange; bizarre
good /ɡʊd/ A1	adjective - to be desired or approved of.
things /θɪŋz/ A1	noun - an object that one need not, cannot, or does not wish to give a specific name to.
run /rʌn/ A1	verb - move at a speed faster than a walk
head /hɛd/ A1	noun - the part of the body above the neck where the eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and brain are
invisible /ɪnˈvɪzəbəl/ B2	adjective - unable to be seen.
man /mæn/ A1	noun - an adult human male.
bed /bɛd/ A1	noun - a piece of furniture for sleep or rest, typically with a mattress and coverings.
alone /əˈloʊn/ A2	adjective - having no one else present; solitary.
phone /foʊn/ A1	noun - a telephone.
girls /ɡɜːrlz/ A1	noun - a female child or young woman.
dose /doʊs/ B2	noun - a quantity of a medicine or drug taken or administered at one time.
freaky /ˈfriːki/ B2	adjective - strange and somewhat frightening.
baby /ˈbeɪbi/ A1	noun - a very young child; infant.
door /dɔːr/ A1	noun - a hinged, sliding, or revolving barrier at the entrance to a building, room, or vehicle.

Key Grammar Structures

• If there's somethin' strange In your neighborhood

  ➔ Conditional Clause Type 1 (Zero Conditional)

  ➔ Uses 'if' + present simple to describe a common or factual situation. 'If' + "there's" (there is) something strange. The song is using informal language by contracting "something" to "somethin'" .

• Who ya gonna call?

  ➔ Future with 'gonna'

  ➔ 'Gonna' is a colloquial contraction of 'going to'. "Who ya gonna call?" is the same as "Who are you going to call?". Used to express a future intention or prediction.

• I ain't afraid of no ghost

  ➔ Double Negative (Non-Standard English)

  ➔ 'Ain't' is a non-standard contraction of 'am not', 'is not', or 'are not'. The double negative "I ain't afraid of no ghost" is used for emphasis in some dialects, but in standard English, it should be "I am not afraid of any ghost."

• Runnin' through your head

  ➔ Present Participle as a noun modifier (Informal)

  ➔ 'Runnin'' is the shortened informal form of 'running', and in this case, modifies the noun 'things', indicating "things running through your head".

• Unless you just want some more

  ➔ Conditional Clause Type 1

  ➔ Uses 'unless' (if not) + present simple (you just want) to express a condition with a likely outcome. It means: if you don't want more ghost trouble.