On Our Own

Album: Ghostbusters II Soundtrack (1989)
Charted: 4 2
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was the theme song to the movie Ghostbusters II. Brown was hot at the time, with a #1 single "My Prerogative," so he was courted to do the song. He was invited to the movie set, where he met the cast and the crew. The film's joint music supervisor, Kathy Nelson, suggested he record this song for the movie.

    Brown agreed in a deal that involved a small part in the film - he played a doorman who greets the Ghostbusters when they arrive at Gracie Mansion. "You guys got another one of those proton packs? My kid brother really wants one," he asks. "The proton pack is not a toy," Egon (Harold Ramis) tells him. "On Our Own" plays under this scene.
  • This was written by L.A. Reid, Babyface and Darryl Simmons. Reid and Babyface were the founders of LaFace Records.
  • Brown was originally a member of the teen group New Edition who enjoyed several American hits and a UK #1 ("Candy Girl") in the mid-'80s. He left in 1996 to to go solo and enjoyed immediate success with a stream of hit singles including "My Prerogative." In 1992 he married Whitney Houston but had several run-ins with the law. In January 1998 he was imprisoned for driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs and in May 2000 (having tested positive for cocaine), he was refused bail and was again incarcerated.
  • The first Ghostbusters movie came out in 1984 and used a song of the same name by Ray Parker Jr. that went to #1 in the US. Parker, who wrote that song, had to incorporate the word "Ghostbusters" into the chorus, a daunting challenge for a songwriter. For the sequel, the movie gets its plugs during Brown's raps, which bookend the song along with an interlude where he gives a quick plot summary. The song itself is about self-reliance, but the message is clear: go see the movie.
  • Donald Trump makes an appearance in the video, which shows Brown and scenes from the movie projected on buildings and signs around New York City.

Comments: 4

  • Markantney from BiloxeMay 2015,

    The "SongFacts" indicate he left the group (New Edition) in 1996; he originally left (with minimal success at first) in 1986 and he was more "asked" to leave; than it was him choosing to leave.

    But this song and his 2nd solo album, "Don't Be Cruel" were major hits. He was The Man for 3 solid years off that album.
  • Aaron from Calhoun, GaGreat song. I like it better than the theme to the first movie.
  • Jennifer Harris from Grand Blanc, MiWhenever I see the Ghostbusters episode of Diffrent stokes,I have the urge to sing this song.To Hot to Handle,to cold to hold they're the Ghostbusters in Control... I love this song.
  • Mike from Cincinnati, OhBobby Brown actually had a small acting role in Ghostbusters 2.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Oliver Leiber

Oliver LeiberSongwriter Interviews

Oliver Leiber talks about writing and producing hits for Paula Abdul, and explains his complicated relationship with his father, the songwriter Jerry Leiber.

Ian Gillan of Deep Purple

Ian Gillan of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan explains the "few red lights" in "Smoke On The Water" and talks about songs from their 2020 album Whoosh!

Gary Brooker of Procol Harum

Gary Brooker of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.

Glen Ballard

Glen BallardSongwriter Interviews

Glen Ballard talks about co-writing and producing Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill album, and his work with Dave Matthews, Aerosmith and Annie Lennox.

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

Lip-Synch Rebels

Lip-Synch RebelsSong Writing

What happens when Kurt Cobain, Iron Maiden and Johnny Lydon are told to lip-synch? Some hilarious "performances."