Ghostbusters Reference Review - Apple's Blue Busters Parody

Most Ghostbusters references are short bits that can best be encapsulated with a small video clip, as evidenced by Spook Central's collection of Ghostbusters reference videos on Critical Commons. However, sometimes there's a reference for which a small clip won't do it justice. It is for these types of references that I have this reoccurring feature here at Spook Central, the Ghostbusters Reference Review.

Back in 1984, Apple's major competitor was PC-manufacturer, IBM (aka "Big Blue"). Apple's internal way of lambasting their rival was to create a four-minute song and music video entitled "Blue Busters", which was shown at the opening of its worldwide sales staff meeting in Hawaii in October 1984. (For more history, read this The Next Web article.) The video includes a cameo appearance by Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs (in full Blue Buster gear), and concludes with a final battle at a rooftop temple of IBM. No kidding. This still doesn't get me to like Apple, but I applaud them for making a really nifty Ghostbusters spoof.

The video embedded below was originally posted by TECHtalk to Youtube on May 8, 2012. It was given to them by former Apple employee Craig Elliott. The video below has been fixed by me from 640x360 to 852x480 and given less compression to preserve what little quality there is given that the Youtube source wasn't the greatest quality to begin with.


Apparently, the video was released on VHS. If you have $100, you can buy a copy from The Missing Byte.


It would seem that "Blue Busters" buttons were given out at the event. If you have $40, you can buy one from eBay seller BiGGs Collectibles.


A few years later, Apple produced an album on cassette tape titled "Apple Boogie", consisting of eight tracks (including an extended 6-minute version of "Blue Busters") that, I assume, they used at various events in the 1980s. The cassette appears to have been handed out to attendees at another Apple sales conference in 1987. (source) The album was uploaded to an Apple-centric website in South Africa, though you can click on the album cover below to download all tracks, and my fixed copies of the artwork scans, in a 35MB zip file. Below that is the embedded "Blues Busters" MP3.



The interior of the cassette liner includes the lyrics for all songs. Below are the "Blues Busters" lyrics.

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Something strange stinking up your desk?
Who can you call?
Blue Busters

Want something safe
Should of got the best
Who you gonna call?
Blue Busters

We ain't afraid of no blue
We ain't afraid of big blue

When the big machine wants to take control
Who can you call?
Blue Busters

Just to keep your store
You got to lose your soul
Who can you call?
Blue Busters

We ain't afraid of no blue
We ain't afraid of no blue

Who you gonna call?
Blue Busters

If you're all alone
Pick up the phone, and call
Blue Busters

We ain't afraid of no blue
I hear it's hard to learn
We ain't afraid of no blue
Yea, yea, yea, yea

Who you gonna call?
Blue Busters

It's just that new sellin freaky blues
You better call, Blue Busters

I want to tell you something
Busting makes me feel good

We ain't afraid of big blue

Know you're not alone oh no
Blue Busters

When they come to your door
Let's just walk some more
I think you better call
Blue Busters

Who you gonna call?
Blue Busters
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