What's in a Ringtone?

An Afternoon Comment Diversion / Dustin Rowles

Comment Diversions | March 19, 2008 | Comments (244)

I hate cell phones; in fact, I only crack mine out on out-of-town trips, otherwise its sits in a drawer with a dead battery for months on end, a hidden reminder that I’m wasting $50 a month so that I can call home the four or five times a year I leave the state. (Pet peeve: Phone calls telling me the caller is on her way home; why don’t you just wait five minutes and tell me when you walk in the door, honey?). Anyway, that’s why my ringtone OK Go’s “Here we go again,” a refrain sang with giddy exasperation, as in “Jesus, here we (fucking) go again.” Unfortunately, “I hate the goddamn phone so please just send me an email, already” is not available in a sing-songy ringtone.

So, that’s my story; what’s yours? What is your cell-phone ring-tone and why?

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Comments

My ring tone is the old-fashioned phone ring. That tells you I'm old school, in a "Don't bother me with all that new-fangled technical stuff; you don't actually think I'm going to figure out how to download something like a ring tone to my cell phone do you? Hell, you're lucky if I have the damn thing on. AND, You kids stop hiding my cassette tapes!"

Oh, and my stepfather, has the same ring tone, which makes me feel extra old. At least I can console myself with the thought that I showed him how to change his ring tone to that--I was hip enough to know that much.

Posted by: tamatha at March 12, 2008 2:36 PM

My ringtone is an ever-changing selection from the list available on prestonandsteve.com. Right now it's Pres doing the audition line "What am I talking about? I'm talking about the need to eat pizza."

Before that it was "Dayman" from Sunny.

Posted by: Nicole at March 19, 2008 2:52 PM

Mine is "Oceans Breathe Salty" by Modest Mouse, but my phone is a piece of crap that I got for free, so it sounds like someone is playing the song on an out of tune toy piano that was left out in the rain and gnawed on by rabid squirrels.

Posted by: Julie at March 19, 2008 2:52 PM

Before that it was "Dayman" from Sunny.

:loves you:

I need to get my bridal sack ready.

Posted by: Julie at March 19, 2008 2:54 PM

Sadly, I can't download ring tones (I blame Sprint--bastards) and don't even want to try--but my ringtone for the longest time was Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'", because my boyfriend at the time and I were constantly haunted by that song. Also, because of the White Sox winning the world series, and I really liked pissing off my Cubs fans friends with it. Uh, and the awesomeness of Journey. Y'know what sucked about that ringtone, though? It wasn't even the fucking refrain. It started out with "Straaaaaangers, waaaaaitin" and then went a few notes from there. Rip-off!

Posted by: em at March 19, 2008 2:55 PM

I bought the three-ringtone package because it seemed thriftier, and I downloaded "Paranoia in Bb Minor" by The Avett Brothers because I liked the sound of it, "Should I Stay Or Should I Go?" by The Clash for my text messages because I only really get texts from the people at work (Barnes & Noble) inviting me out for after-work drinks (Though not lately, sadly). Finally, I just downloaded Kate Nash, "Merry Happy," because the song was making me happy.
I used to have the UK Office's theme "Handbags and Gladrags" on my phone before I broke that one and upgraded to my new red phone because the cell phone guy who talks like Jack Nicholson told me it was good.

Posted by: Cait at March 19, 2008 2:56 PM

Good Morning By Kanye West! Made it myself.

Sometimes I almost don't answer cause I like it so much.

Posted by: CasKo at March 19, 2008 2:56 PM

I love my cell and I keep it with me at all times. I have no idea how I lived without one. But I am way to lazy to continually change my ring tone as many of my friends do on sometimes a weekly basis. I get the continuous "is that me?" If you are not going to remember don't change it.

Anyways, mine is a loud and very me ring tone. I always know it is my phone riniging. NERD - Lapdance.

Posted by: thatgirlTra at March 19, 2008 2:56 PM

Oh, dear. I just got a new phone, and I found "The Final Countdown" available in ringtone format. I had to use it.

In the past, it has been "My Junk" from Spring Awakening, "Footloose," and for a few (rather embarassing) months, a Panic! At the Disco song that shall remain unnamed.

I also have "Don't Stop Believing," which I use as the ringtone for when my family calls me, and also as the alarm to get me up in the morning.

I'm sickeningly dependent on that little piece of technology-- I don't have a landline up at school, so it's the only way to reach me besides e-mail and carrier pigeon.

Posted by: That Girl at March 19, 2008 2:56 PM

Fraggle Rock. Because it's awesome, that's why.

Posted by: Sarina at March 19, 2008 2:57 PM

I have a bunch of ringtones that I assign on a person-by-person basis, for a little personalization. I use a great, free program called Audacity to edit mp3s and cut out sections I want for the ringtones.

My general ringtone, though, is a riff from "Sunday Sun," by the Cinematics. It's a Beck cover, amped up a bunch, and the riff is absolutely killer. No special meaning for that one, just one of my favorite songs.

Posted by: Sean at March 19, 2008 2:57 PM

I had the one that came with the phone for a while and then just changed it to a normal digital-sounding ring. Nothing personalized.

Cait, I love that you had "Handbags and Gladrags"!

Posted by: samantha t at March 19, 2008 2:57 PM

The first 32 seconds of Depeche Mode's Never Let Me Down Again (the instrumental introduction, cutting off right as Dave Gahan starts to sing).

But I usually have my phone on vibrate.

Posted by: JH at March 19, 2008 2:57 PM

mine is on vibrate.

i ride public transit and it is so effing annoying when someone's cell phone starts blaring out some crazy ass song or mariachi tune or what the heck ever. seriously. why do you need your phone ringtone volume jacked up?

also, i'm pretty low-tech. i still type on typewriters. i just learned how to use a digital camera this year (i adore manual nikons). i didn't get an internet connection at home until this year and that was only cause mr. smash needs it for his IT stuff. also, i didn't have basic cable until this year either - again, mr. smash's doing.

you can all hate on me now.

ps: i don't own an ipod either!
pps: i'm not elderly.

Posted by: smash at March 19, 2008 2:59 PM

My phone makes calls. That's it. No Internet. Not even any games. I don't even know if I can buy ring tones. But I don't care, because it just has to ring. I don't need to express myself through what song blares from my pocket when someone calls.

So my phone just rings. I think ringtones are silly.

Posted by: Ben at March 19, 2008 2:59 PM

Always Sunny in Philadelphia theme (AudioHijacked from their website)

Posted by: Ian at March 19, 2008 3:00 PM

I can't stand anything but normal, old-fashioned ringing, or maybe some sort of series of beeps.

I'm evidently much older and more crotchety than my appearance and birth certificate let on.

Posted by: tt_marie at March 19, 2008 3:00 PM

The theme from The Godfather because it's awesome. And because I'm that pimpin. And because it makes everyone giggle whenever my phone rings.

...Mostly because I'm pimpin, though.

Posted by: Seth at March 19, 2008 3:02 PM

Yeah, what tamantha said. Old school ringing, man. Actually, I don't own a personal cell, I just use my work phone--so even if I was that ambitious, I'm not really free to put something unprofessionally wacky on it.

My dream ringtone, however, would be a snippet from The B-52's Rock Lobster: "DEE-dee DEE-dee dee-dee-DEE-duh-lee-DEEEE...ROCK LOBSTER!"

Posted by: MO at March 19, 2008 3:02 PM

I have no idea what my ringtone is, because I don't want anyone calling me. I don't turn it on. I don't even known my phone number. I only have the damn thing in case I get in an accident and have to call 911. I pay by the minute, and if I don't use it, it doesn't cost me a cent.

Smash: My aunt used to joke that I was the last white person to get a VCR, and that was last year.

Posted by: BWeaves at March 19, 2008 3:03 PM

Ummm....Evanescence's Haunted

ACK...don't judge me! I'm a closet Evanescence fan....alright?

I usually have it on vibrate when at work, though...so I don't get to hear it as much.

Posted by: Shadows of Dakaron at March 19, 2008 3:03 PM

Mine is always on "vibrate." I don't like being interrupted by the thing, and rarely answer it. I'll eventually call people back, but people mostly know to email me if something is pressing.

Posted by: Brook at March 19, 2008 3:04 PM

I'm one of those dorks who has different ones depending on who's calling. Examples:

When Mrs. TK calls - "Portions For Foxes" by Rilo Kiley.

When my friend Tim calls - "Unsung" by Helmet.

The main one is the "Theme from 007".

But right now, it's on vibrate, so I don't get distracted at work.

What?

Shut up.

Posted by: TK at March 19, 2008 3:04 PM

The oh-so-distinctive 'Hello Moto' generic tone they give you for free. It's a fifteen-second techno party, complete with product placement.

Posted by: Aurelia at March 19, 2008 3:04 PM

Julie you must check out the ringtone list on P&S. I also used the "Matt Damon" and "Lieutenant Dan Ice Cream" tones.

Posted by: Nicole at March 19, 2008 3:05 PM

I have two, the Pink Panther theme and V from V for Vendetta telling some fools he's going to cook them despite their guns. I'm a slutty nerd badass.

Posted by: hopit at March 19, 2008 3:05 PM

In my never-ending quest to be a slightly behind-the-times hipster douchebag, my iPhone allows me to have ringtones associated with the people who call - "Daft Punk Is Playing at My House" for my best friend; olde tyme telephone for my parents; and the chirp of crickets when Mr. Sweetie calls, so that I'm always reminded of his reaction when I tell jokes.

On a related note - back when Mr. Sweetie had Verizon, he had a ringback tone of Pantera's "Broken", and I wanted to stick hot pokers in my ears after the 4,526,378th time I had to call him. He loved it when people would leave messages - "Umm, hi, I think I called Mr. Sweetie, but I'm not sure, because all I heard was some music..."

Posted by: snarkcitysweetie at March 19, 2008 3:06 PM

Mine's Brass Monkey. Because it's a funky monkey.

Posted by: TL at March 19, 2008 3:06 PM

Ooh, Sean, you may have just made my day! Must check out this Audacity program...

Posted by: MO at March 19, 2008 3:06 PM

"Instant Karma"-John Lennon. Yeah I'm a hippie/technophile. What about it?

Posted by: coveredinbees at March 19, 2008 3:07 PM

The Indiana Jones theme music. It's especially great if my phone is in another room and I can run to answer it, because I feel like I'm going to save the world from the Nazis or something whenever it goes off. Unfortunately, no one ever calls me so I get to do that far less than I'd like.

Posted by: Lizzle at March 19, 2008 3:09 PM

My phone is set on the most normal ring tone I could find. However, I am always searching for John Digweed's "Heaven Scent" and as soon as it becomes available, I'm changing it.

Posted by: Agent Scully at March 19, 2008 3:09 PM

For when normal people bother me:
40' by Franz Ferdinand
It's a good song. Look it up.

For when my Boston University/drinking buddies call me:
Tessie by The Dropkick Murphys
Because it's the fucking Dropkick Murphys.

For when my brother calls:
C'mon C'mon by the Von Bondies
Because he's the one who told me about Rescue Me. Also, he's an impatient motherfucker.

For when my lady calls:
Evil Woman by ELO
Because we had a long standing arguement over the "doo doo doodle doodle doo" guitar riff. And because she will cut you.

For when I get text messages:
Theme from Peter Gunn
Because it's fucking Peter Gunn.

And now that I'm getting a new phone, I will have to upload all new ones. Goddamn ponzi scheming bastards!

Posted by: insertclevernamehere at March 19, 2008 3:09 PM

i hate cell phones too. i use it mostly as an alarm clock. but i am a sad sack that actually has a library of tones to choose from because not only do i have iPod-ADD, i have ringtone-ADD. i just wish cingular/at&t/suncom/whatever had talking heads songs:

always look on the bright side of life spamalot
solsbury hill peter gabriel
baby got back sir mix a lot (i just think it's funny)
my humps black eyed peas (not the actual song, the michael scott version)
the godfather theme (it's what i wake up to)

hmm...i guess i will have "once in a lifetime" (thanks to sean) once i figure out that audacity stuff. i'm pretty special when it comes to computers so we'll see :)

Posted by: kelley at March 19, 2008 3:10 PM

Edwyn Collins- Girl like you, but it's not a crappy, digitized 'ringtones'. I can't stand ringtones they annoy the everliving fuck out of me. It's an mp3 of the actual song. And I have it cause I like the song and the opening drum roll is really immediately recognizable and easy to hear, even when it's buried in my purse.

Posted by: darwinfox at March 19, 2008 3:12 PM

Mine ringtone is Beverly Hills by Weezer. Because California is warmer than Wisconsin this time of year and for that one brief shiney moment when someone calls because they care, I can think of warmer places. Before that it was the theme to The Good, The Bad & The Ugly. Still got the warm fuzzy that someone wanted to talk to me, but I like palm trees better than the desert visual.

Posted by: Nator at March 19, 2008 3:13 PM

*Deep Breath* Soulja Boy. An uninspired piece summer garbage? Yes. Catchy? Undeniably. However, there is a story behind it. In my Speech and Communications 101 class, we were told to do a demonstrative speech. In this, right after the summer of the Soulja Boy blitz, I was inspired to demonstrate to the class how to do the dance. After a few weeks of studying every move, I was ready. And so I, the quiet, nerdy-enough-to-know-Pajiba kid stood up and danced my lily-white ass off. If it was a movie I would've gotten a date with Molly Ringwald and probably knocked out the captain of the football team. As it is, I was widely known as Soulja Boy for the rest of the semester. (Is that a good thing?)

Posted by: TyranThesaurus Rex at March 19, 2008 3:13 PM

The downside to having a ringtone as awesome as Fraggle Rock is that people get pissed when my phone is on vibrate. For example, a conversation I had Saturday while sitting four feet away from my best friend:

Me: Why the hell are you calling me?
Friend: Why the hell is your phone on vibrate?
Me: I just came here from work, weirdo.
Friend: Goddammit, I wanted to listen to Fraggle Rock.

Posted by: Sarina at March 19, 2008 3:13 PM

I've posted this before, I think. I've got the personalised tones thingie going on. Took some mp3s from my hardrive and edited them:

Girlfriend: "Silhouettes" by The Postal Service, the bridge, where Tamborello goes loco on his mellotron (or Casio?)

Friends: "Abel" by The National. Because of the shallow interpretation of the song it's about friends who don't let other friends drive drunk.

Everyone else: "Side Crawler's Dance" by Shinichi Sakamoto from the 8-bit game Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap AKA Monster World II soundtrack. Jaunty tune, Carribean feel, nostalgia erupts, played that game for five summers straight at my cousin's house.

Text Message alert: an audio recording of my sister yelling "Choco!". Startles people and sometimes makes them giggle.

Posted by: Adere at March 19, 2008 3:16 PM

As further evidence of my Luddite tendencies, I use the plain ole' "beep" that came with the phone. For a while I tried out some of the other preprogrammed jingly-janglies, but they all ended up irritating and embarrassing me.

However when I call Mr. Pink, his phone plays "The Imperial March", and when I call one of my best girlfriends, her phone plays "Toxic".

Take from that what you will.

Posted by: Alabamapink at March 19, 2008 3:16 PM

Forgot - Other tones on my phone are different - I've got the Grrr Argh for my text messages & the theme from Firefly wakes me up everyday. Except today when it became a song in my dream & I over slept.

Posted by: Nator at March 19, 2008 3:17 PM

I'm evidently much older and more crotchety than my appearance and birth certificate let on.

Actually, I find a lot of middle aged and older women have ridiculous musical phones. It's definitely not an age thing.

I got a mobile phone when I was sick of sharing a line a few years ago, but I barely talk to anyone for any length of time. Lost the habit around 16. I just use a little chirpy beep, but that doesn't mean I'm going to answer it, only that I can call *you* if I need to. Sometimes the battery's dying and I turn it off and forget I turned it off a day and a half ago, but anyone can email me if they really need to find me anyway.

But yes, I'm a complete hater for loud ringing, but my true loathing is for people talking either handheld or bluetooth as they absently wander around in public, up to and through paying for something. I used to have people apologize to the person on the phone when they asked me something at the bookstore. Normally I just try to keep calm and sometimes sing "people yakkety yak a streak and waste their time of day" to myself, or else, you know, it'd be murder all the time.

Posted by: Jay at March 19, 2008 3:17 PM

For the longest time, the ringtone I used was "Battle of Who Could Care Less" by Ben Folds Five, but my phone gave up the ghost a couple of months ago. I thought about using BoWCCL again when I got a replacement phone, but, after almost two years of that ringtone, I figured it was time for a change. So, for now, it's the jig part of Spinal Tap's "Stonehenge," when Nigel breaks out the mandolin. It makes me smile.

Posted by: Sycamore at March 19, 2008 3:19 PM

I never have, and so help me never will, downloaded/paid for/used a ringtone. Why force upon my present company an obnoxiously crappy song that no one ever wants to hear? For that matter, why would I want other people to know that I'm receiving a phone call? Some holier than thou "oh my, I simply didn't expect to have so many other people love me during our time together" bullshit just don't fly with me. Is our culture so ADD and vapid that forms of self-expression like a boiled-down version of an over-heard song constitute our individuality? My phone serves the utilitarian function it was designed for, not the pseudo-hip faux-fashion cells have become.

Guess what. My phone's on vibrate. And my form of self-expression is sloughing off this microcosm of cultural decrepitude.

Posted by: jbag at March 19, 2008 3:20 PM

When not on vibrate, my phone has a few different assignments:

For the Girlfriend - The theme from "Boondock Saints" (it makes me do a little happy jig everytime.

Friends - Various Doakes quotes from the show "Dexter", including but not limited to "You fuckin' weirdo!", "I'm watching you motherfucka!" and "Fuckin' Asshole!"

General Populace - "True Believers" by the Bouncing Souls.

Posted by: Sh*t Sandwich at March 19, 2008 3:20 PM

Vibrate. I haven't quite figured out how to get ringtones for free safely yet, and I'm sure-as-hell not paying for the things...
...although, I would rather like "Don't Fear the Reaper" or maybe a nice snippet of "The More You Ignore Me" just to be funny.

Posted by: that bees chick at March 19, 2008 3:20 PM

Since we're sharing everything: Wake up tone is the theme from LA Law. I usually get it to stop in less than 3 seconds.

Posted by: Adere at March 19, 2008 3:22 PM

Smash - just saw your comment. Props. I also do not own an ipod, nor am I elderly. Not for fear of technology, mind you, just fear of assimilation.

Posted by: jbag at March 19, 2008 3:22 PM

jbag: Settle down. It's a ringtone, not a fascist manifesto. Seriously.

Sheesh.

Posted by: TK at March 19, 2008 3:24 PM

...the ear-piercing shrieks of the damned.

For reasons I don't have to explain.

Otherwise I pop that bitch on vibrate, slip it into a well greased rubber yellow glove and ease the sea back. Aw yeah...

Posted by: Skittimus Maximus at March 19, 2008 3:25 PM

I know I've shared this before on this site, but my phone plays "Heavy Action" aka the theme from "Monday Night Football".

Why? Because I am totally fucking awesome.

Posted by: courtney at March 19, 2008 3:25 PM

My phone now has the old-school vibrating/normal phone ring combo going on after my friend told me the most horrific story a couple of weeks ago about why you should never have a song as a ringtone.

Her father collapsed at her sister's rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding, and as he's in the hospital - possibly dying, possibly already dead - they're in the waiting room having a prayer circle with all the members of her family and their preacher, when her phone goes off....the siren call of of Snoop Dogg's "Sexual Seduction" filling the room.

Posted by: feramones at March 19, 2008 3:26 PM

The Final Countdown. Because when it rings I think of Gob dancing, and that makes me happy.

Posted by: Cait at March 19, 2008 3:26 PM

My current ringtone is Panama by Van Halen. The reason being that Van Halen is my favorite band and my brother downloaded that song for me. I usually wait a while to answer the phone because I enjoy listening to it. So if I answer the phone singing PANAMA!!!! you know why.

Posted by: Dave at March 19, 2008 3:28 PM

Blondie -- "Call Me"

I hate cell phones, but if I have to have one, I want to have fun.

Posted by: christine bowers at March 19, 2008 3:29 PM

Nicole I love you. That's it! I'm just saying it now. I love you. Like the way a kitten loves heavy cream, drunk sororitutes love attention at a frat house, and Tweeter loved the MonkeyMan...I love you.

"What am I talking about? I'm talking about the need to eat pizza." is for when my dad calls.

"Chicken pot, chicken pot, chicken pot pie" is for my general anyone tone.

"Time to pay the fiddler whore!" is for when my friend Mark calls.

"Clown hat, curly hair, smiley face" when it's Erin.

"Right on sweet sister" when it's my sister.

"Chubby Back" when it's my friend Dave

"WEEEEE! Guess what I get to do" when it's my boy Sean.

And "Matt Damon" when I get a text message.

I.am.a.huge.dork.

Posted by: PissBoy at March 19, 2008 3:32 PM

MO: You'll dig it. You can even choose the bitrate of the mp3 when you export it, so if your phone has a decent amount of memory you can have better quality tones. I've even been able to do some pretty seamless looping, and I'm basically an amateur. A great program.

Posted by: Sean at March 19, 2008 3:32 PM

I am exactly the same as you, Dawg; I don't ever use my cellphone for anything unless I'm travelling. My ringtone is whatever the default is on my phone. I have no idea; I've never heard it ring because no one ever calls me and the phone is always off. Switching the tone to something else (if I even knew how, which I don't) would be a complete waste of time.

Posted by: Todd at March 19, 2008 3:32 PM

PissBoy, well done on the Wilburys reference!

Posted by: Sean at March 19, 2008 3:34 PM

I'm just using one of the ringtones that came with my phone. It sounds like the intro to some sort of 'Journey into the world of Marketing' instructional seminar videotape from the '80's. Oddly sinister.

Posted by: eats the sandwich at March 19, 2008 3:35 PM

the theme from The Addams Family. well, because i love it. and because i get called Wednesday an awful lot, mostly when i don't even expect it. often by near total strangers. i can't imagine why....

Posted by: lizzieborden at March 19, 2008 3:35 PM

i broke my razor about a year ago and have been using a really crappy cell from approximately 1999. the phone itself is kind of falling apart and possessed, as in it makes calls and changes its ringtone without my knowledge. it's great when i'm in class and my phone starts blaring out "ragtime" or "turkish march" in the middle of a lecture or test when i had thought it was on silent or vibrate. i don't know what that says about my personality, probably that pretty much unconcerned with things like ringtones, and sort of cheap/lazy because i haven't caved and bought a new phone already. if i were forced to have a real ringtone though, i'd go for "ageless beauty" by stars just because it's a great song and one of my favorite bands.

Posted by: nona at March 19, 2008 3:36 PM

Funny that the image for this post is a Bollywood production number. When my family calls, my phone plays the funky string bit from Parvati Khan's "Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Aaja" from "Disco Dancer" (which M.I.A. sampled for "Jimmy"). When one of my friends calls it's the opening few bars of Usha Uthup's immortal "One Two Cha Cha Cha" from "Shalimar", which is the single worst movie I have ever seen.

When Mr. Jeem calls, it's "Rollerdisco" by Black Moth Super Rainbow, which isn't Bollywood but which is a damned good song.

And I'm half tempted to swap my randomly-selected wakeup song for something lively like the Can-Can or Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries.

Posted by: jeem at March 19, 2008 3:37 PM

My current ringtone is Waltz of the Flowers, from The Nutcracker.

Before, I've had:
The end theme from The Boondocks
Protection - Massive Attack
Futures - Zero 7

However, none of these really mesh well in an office environment, so I had to pick something that did. Lucky for me that I love The Nutcracker.

Posted by: Brie at March 19, 2008 3:37 PM

JBag...relax. It's called fun. Try it as soon as you get that little piece of fiberglass out of your cock hole. I know it hurts.

Posted by: PissBoy at March 19, 2008 3:38 PM

My ringtone is a 45 second excerpt from Zappa's "Broken Hearts Are For Assholes". I like getting calls in grocery store checkout lines, and quiet waiting rooms because then old ladies give me dirty/scared looks. Someday this ringtone will lead me to my soulmate.

Posted by: Mohaski at March 19, 2008 3:39 PM

I have a cheapo cell phone in a drawer somewhere. I doubt if I could customize the ringtone on that cheap-ass thing.

But someday, when I join the rest of you in the Twenty-First Century, my cell phone's ringtone will be "Love Comes In Spurts" by Richard Hell and the Voidoids.

Posted by: Jerce at March 19, 2008 3:39 PM

I, sadly, am also a ringtone addict. And I've got a bunch.

When hubby calls "When I Look to the Sky" by Train. It was our wedding song. If hubby had his way it was going to be "Forever" by KISS.

Friends - either "One Week" by BNL, "Joy to the World" by Three Dog Night, the theme from the Saturday AM staple "Sigmund and the Sea Monsters", Long Duck Dong screaming "Oh, sexy girlfriend!" from "Sixteen Candles" or Jim Gaffigan saying "Kitty Wants Some Candy."

Family - "We Are Family." Duh.

Christmas time - Cartman's rendition of "Oh, Holy Night" from "South Park"

Football season - Jason Taylor telling me to pick up the phone. Yes, I'm the Dolphins fan.

Favorite ringtone/alarm clock - "Baby, I Love Your Way" by Peter Frampton. I love that man.

Posted by: SugarKane at March 19, 2008 3:39 PM

PissBoy, we are a match made in heaven. My first ever P&S ringtone was "Big Brown Guatemalan Nipples."

Posted by: Nicole at March 19, 2008 3:39 PM

Ringtone: The University of Florida Fight Song (when my phone's not on vibrate).

Reason: Go Gators! Duh!

Posted by: Kolby at March 19, 2008 3:39 PM

My ring tone is the first few seconds of "Didi Tera Dewar Deevana" from "Hum Aapke Hain Koun...!" because it's a simple, repetitive but not-obnoxious jingle jangle. Is your picture from "Om Shanti Om"? I really liked that film :)

Posted by: Ros at March 19, 2008 3:40 PM

Good man for knowing it Sean! I love them!

Posted by: PissBoy at March 19, 2008 3:40 PM

And "Matt Damon" when I get a text message.

PissBoy-that? Is awesome.

And boo. My phone is too crappy to get ringtones like that.

Posted by: Julie at March 19, 2008 3:40 PM

I don't have a cell at the moment, but when I did a few years back, I picked the mewing kitten ringtone becuase it was adorable.

Then the previews for The Grudge started showing, and I lived alone, so I had to change it because that freaky little boy mewing scared the shit out of me.

Posted by: Kt at March 19, 2008 3:43 PM

Currently, "Any Way You Want It" by Journey.

But for the longest time it was the Star Wars title theme. I can remember once being in class and realizing I had forgotten to change my phone to silent mode (I prefer to not be that dick, and also our prof had a habit of embarassing said dicks). And so, of course, someone calls. And my prof and entire class dissolved into giggles. So thank you, John Williams, for sparing me public humiliation (and establishing me as the resident class geek). Thank you for that, and so very much more.

Posted by: Amanda at March 19, 2008 3:46 PM

How happy am I that Dustin kept my original post from the 2 seconds that this diversion was up last week? Tres happy.

Posted by: tamatha at March 19, 2008 3:46 PM

The ability to ring on my phone died monts ago - only vibrate. Before, it was set to some standard tone. I have always felt your ring tone can say a little too much about you.

That being said, there was nothing funnier than my boss's "Hips Don't Lie" ringtone. As the fables have always taught us "Mothers, don't tlet your daughters play with your cellphone settings"

Posted by: Brian at March 19, 2008 3:47 PM

Mika's "Grace Kelly," and here's why: my almost-2-year-old niece LOVES it, and has for months. One of the first words she ever said to me was, "Muh!" which eventually became, "Muh-kah," and then, "Mika." It turns out she was asking me to get out my phone and make it play Mika so that she could dance to it.

Before that, it was Bowie's "Let's Dance," and she loved that one, too. When we're out somewhere and she's really riled up and distracted, I just get out my phone and alternate between those two songs so that she can dance. (Don't worry -- I play it really quietly for her so that she's the only one who can hear it, not everyone else in the store.)

Posted by: elijabet at March 19, 2008 3:47 PM

tt_marie I'm evidently much older and more crotchety than my appearance and birth certificate let on.

I'm with you on that one. I think I'm the only 21yr old I know that has the regular telephone ring, never takes pictures with my phone or texts. When I'm at work or just bored I put it on vibrate.

Posted by: Wormer at March 19, 2008 3:48 PM

"Scotty Doesn't Know" from Eurotrip; only because it's the most awesome film cameo I've ever seen.

Posted by: socalledonlycousins at March 19, 2008 3:51 PM

'Never Tear Us Apart' by INXS for my wife, 'cuz it's our song. Awww.

Posted by: ponch at March 19, 2008 3:52 PM

"Rusty Cage" by Soundgarden. Because it rocks. The beginning of the song with those high guitar notes actually make it sound like a ringtone. Mr. shelleyh put this on my phone when he discovered the software to make your own ringtones. He also put on his phone as a ringtone for when I call him, the theme from "Psycho." Hmmm, can't figure out why.

Posted by: shelleyh at March 19, 2008 3:55 PM

Okay, elijabet? That may be the cutest thing I've heard in weeks.

socalled...damn you. I had completely forgotten about that...must download Scotty Doesn't Know now...

Posted by: Shadows of Dakaron at March 19, 2008 3:55 PM

My cell phone is always on vibrate and always in my front pockets so that when my boyfriend calls or texts it's like he's right there in my pants...

Posted by: David at March 19, 2008 3:56 PM

Standard Nokia ringtone cause I ain't payin fo shit.
I use an ATHF answering machine message though:
"Hey this is Carl, the bozo you're lookin for ain't here right now so... hang up, jackass."

Though I do know of a girl's phone that plays the Imperial March when her mother calls. BFF for sure.

Posted by: Stew at March 19, 2008 3:58 PM

See...now I have to go get more Nicole...need more. I want "S-A-TUR-DAY...Palsy!"

Posted by: PissBoy at March 19, 2008 4:01 PM

Mine plays the attack music from Jaws. So when i go fumbling for my phone in the middle of the night my sleepy mind awakens quite panicked. Because obviously someone is going to die if i don't pick up RIGHT NOW...

Posted by: dangerosa at March 19, 2008 4:02 PM

My ringtone is "Don't Rock My Boat" by Bob Marley because when I'm getting one of my MANY daily phone calls from stupid and/or annoying co-workers, the mellow mantra of "Please don't you rock my boat / 'Cause I don't want my boat to be rockin' anyhow" keeps me from slaughtering everyone at my job.

The ringback tone which plays when people are dialing through to me, however, is Lionel Richie's "Hello." And you know that's awesome.

Posted by: KiwiBrownn at March 19, 2008 4:05 PM

Texts - the opening to the Grange Hill theme tune.

Calls - Half Man Half Machine by Goldie Lookin Chain. Cuz it makes me giggle.

My boyfriend has a supremely irritating version of a Bob Marley track on his. It's so tinny I can barely make out which one, and he usually just lets it ring - end result being that hearing the opening bars now sends me into a frenzy.

Posted by: Lisa S at March 19, 2008 4:06 PM

For most calls, I have the old-fashioned ring, though a few close friends get 'signature rings'.
Pictures of Lily, Son of a Preacher Man, Tubular Bells, and the Green Hornet Theme.

Posted by: Kiku at March 19, 2008 4:07 PM

Also, nothing lets the world know that you most likely do drugs then a Bob Marley ringtone.

Posted by: KiwiBrownn at March 19, 2008 4:09 PM

My ringtone has a name I don't even remember. It's sort of "Robot" or so -- nobody around seemed to use or like at the time, so here's my natural choice.

Like the first commenter tamatha up there, and Dustin himself, I really do not care about this whole "let's be oh-so high tech all the time". My Nokia 66-something was bought almost four years ago, has been working flawlessly since then, and I rarely use it for more than check what time it is and for two or three friends to call me up and meet somewhere.

And there's no intention of tossing it out and getting a new one, when it's working so fine.

Posted by: gargumma at March 19, 2008 4:09 PM

My ringtone is Chopin's Nocturne in E-Flat Opus 9 #2 because it is beautiful, and I never get it confused with someone else's ringtone.

Posted by: Cadt at March 19, 2008 4:12 PM

Insertclevernamehere you must get out of head.

'Tessie' is the ring for the little brother
'C'mon, C'mon'used to the the generic-I can't be bothered to assign you something else ringtone, which has now been replaced by 'One Step Beyond' by Madness
'Ball and Chain' plays when the hubby is on the line
The phone also plays 'Beer' by Reel Big Fish, 'Indestructible' by Rancid, and 'Mabel' by Goldfinger. All of which are assigned accordingly.

Posted by: al at March 19, 2008 4:12 PM

Julie, honey, we need to get you a new phone.

Posted by: Nicole at March 19, 2008 4:14 PM

Just to add this: my "most interesting" story about ringtones must be that I made one of those mentioned friends the CTU ring from 24 (you know, blu-blu... baaa-dooo). A few adjustments later (volume, equalizing, cuts), he's got the real thing now and loves it. It's kinda funny when we're out, his phone rings and just one or two people look around recognizing it with a smile.

Posted by: gargumma at March 19, 2008 4:15 PM

Before I moved overseas to a little banana shaped island, my ringtone was "Barbie Girl." This tells you that not only am I effing nuts, but that I don't care what people think of me. What? I LOVE that song. Pure cheese is sometimes good.

Posted by: noodlestien at March 19, 2008 4:15 PM

My ringtone is Weezer's Say it Ain't So. Mostly because it's an awesome song, but also because it's LOUD so I never miss it. I have no regular phone, so any calls I get go directly to it.

Posted by: IamKateness at March 19, 2008 4:19 PM

I make ringtones using an MP3 editor and then use fun for mobile to upload them. I hate paying for things!

Anyway, the general ring is Ramalama by Roisin Murphy. Because I love it.

My girlfriend's ring tone is either Rock Lobster by the B-52s or Oh Yeah by the Cliks. I change that according to mood. Her ringtone for me is Roam by the B-52s (long story involving when we were first dating, she almost drove into a tree while that song was playing, and the running joke for years has been my sitting on the floor, rocking, screaming "Roam, roam if you want to!" and weeping in a PTSD kind way).

Mother, Mother by Tracy Bonham for, wait for it, my mom. So not original, I know.

And I should probably make something scary for when people I hate call me so I know not to even bother looking at the phone.

Posted by: Sharon at March 19, 2008 4:21 PM

My general ringtone is "Breakin' Up" by Rilo Kiley mostly because the chorus is just fun and I'm fairly stubbornly single.

I got an iphone for Christmas (yes I know I'm spoiled) and I kind of had too much fun making my own ringtones in Itunes. So lots of people have their own signature ring with various reasoning for each. My favorite is "Jessie's Girl" which plays whenever my brother (Jesse) or his fiancee calls.

Posted by: Aubrey at March 19, 2008 4:24 PM

Work pays for my phone, so if I don't want to sprint to my office everytime someone's cell phone goes off, I have to customize. (Plus, did I mention, work pays?)

My standard ringtone is "I Wanna Be Sedated" by the Ramones, because it's loud enough and catchy enough that I always hear it.

I've got dedicated ringtones for some of my friends that they got to pick out (see above re: work pays) just so I don't have to get up and see who's calling, but it sometimes results in interesting looks from others at the office when my phone starts blasting "I'm So Hood" in the middle of a meeting.

I don't customize to "express myself" or whatever trendy thing people are objecting to this week. I do it so I know which ring is mine and who's calling.

Posted by: Miss Julie at March 19, 2008 4:26 PM

Depending on the caller it's either "The Office" theme song or "The Muppet Show" theme song.

I hate technology, but I love my ringtones. I get an insane number of compliments on them.

Posted by: Faye at March 19, 2008 4:27 PM

I'm Different by Butterfly Boucher from unknown callers

My Flying Saucer by Woody Guthrie/Billy Bragg from home phone.

Posted by: ginkirk at March 19, 2008 4:28 PM

Mine is currently The Divinyls "I Touch Myself." For all calls. I just really like it.

Posted by: LiLoh at March 19, 2008 4:32 PM

My main ringtone is the chorus of "Remind Me" by Royskopp. I thought the lyrics were kind of appropriate for getting interrupted by the phone:

"And everywhere I go,
There's always something to remind me
Of another place and time"

I also have a special ringtone for my husband: "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns n Roses, because that's one of our special songs. He played it in his car when we left our wedding reception.

Posted by: Lainie at March 19, 2008 4:33 PM

I switch frequently between two ringtones because otherwise I start hearing phantom ringing if I use one for too long. My two are: the Hawaii Five-O theme and the very beginning of Styx - 'Mr. Roboto.' Good strong openings that make me realize the phone is ringing.

My msg ring is 'Why Does it Always Rain on Me' - Travis.

Totally pointless to have them though because it's mainly always on silent for work and on the weekends, when I don't want to talk to anyone either.

Posted by: thenaysayer at March 19, 2008 4:34 PM

"Clark Gable" by the Postal Service--because I like it. And on the off chance my phone isn't on silent I don't mind hearing it. Although, I'm not a fan of cell phones in public places (actually, I hate it) so I almost always try to keep mine on silent.

I'm not into personalized ring tones, but this may be because when one my friends got a phone every time I called it was, "You won't succeed on Broadway if you don't have any Jews" from Spamalot. Funny the first few times...

Posted by: Morgan at March 19, 2008 4:36 PM

For calls WITH caller ID, some groovy, '70's guitar funk. Just because it was the LEAST annoying option programmed into my phone, and I'm usually too cheap/lazy/techno-illiterate to download ringtones from outside sources.

One exception: "Under Pressure" by Queen and David Bowie, for all calls with blocked ID's. Because, of course, they're usually sales people or crooked folks pretending to be debt collectors. The only problem is I've developed a Pavlovian response to a beautiful song- and it involves teeth-grinding annoyance and the urge to kick people.

I assure you I'm not as cranky as I must seem today.

Posted by: ShinyKate at March 19, 2008 4:37 PM

Frick. I sit on the couch and watch some episodes of The Office and I miss everything. Oh well. In case people are still reading..

My ringtone is Presidents of the United States of America "Lump". I have this ring tone because it rocks. I defy anyone to not get happy when they hear that song. Defy!

Before this it was "Loser" by Beck. Hmm. It seems that I like to choose ringtones that tell people I was in high school in the mid nineties.

Posted by: Dangle McGee at March 19, 2008 4:42 PM

My general ringtone is "Rock Lobster" by the B52s. If I get a bunch of calls in a row, my boyfriend will sing along and change the words to "Miss Popular!" And I picked that song because it's fun. And I'm fun. That's how it works.

Before I switched providers, I had the Buffy theme song which was so great. I loved to get calls. It was fun to be at parties and have someone here my phone and get excited. Because meeting fellow Buffy fans is always a good thing.

Posted by: superdeluxebabe at March 19, 2008 4:42 PM

My favorite ringtone at the moment is the electro-fading ringtone Stratham has in Crank. Now everytime I get a call images of Stratham fill my mind :)

Posted by: Draya at March 19, 2008 4:43 PM

Beck, "Cellphone's Dead". Too obvious? Maybe, but it's groovy and still makes me smile.

Posted by: Zeppellyn at March 19, 2008 4:47 PM

General - Scotty Doesn't Know (kudos to the other TOTALLY happening commenter with this)
Boyfriend - House of 1,000 Corpses
Daughter - Whatever crappy top 40 song she programs weekly
Mom - clip from Mommy Dearest of 'no wire hangers EVER!!!' Please note - this is extremely amusing to everyone but her
Dad - Wolves howling (he loves them)
G-ma - Coal Miner's Daughter

Posted by: jessi1974 at March 19, 2008 4:50 PM

Mine's the first bit of the first movement of Mozart's Symphony #40. I had Mozart on my first cell phone, and I'm really used to hearing it now. Plus it makes me happy.

Not that anyone ever calls me, but still.

Posted by: Mary at March 19, 2008 4:51 PM

It's usually on vibrate, but when not in the confines of a classroom, it's M.I.A- Paper Planes and on some days (not today, because I made brownies) it's Biggie and Method Man - The What.

excerpt: "FUCK the world, don't ask me for shit, cuz everything you get you've got to work hard for it!"

Maybe I need a hug.

Posted by: jM at March 19, 2008 4:52 PM

I'm poor and something of a Scrooge when it comes to technology, so I'm relegated to the sound of a choo-choo train pulling up to the station. Which I don't actually hate.
If I had my druthers though I would get "London Calling" on my phone, not because I get that many calls from London, but because I never, ever get tired of that song.

Posted by: Gabrielle at March 19, 2008 4:54 PM

Mine is "Boogie Shoes" by KC & the Sunshine Band. I'm not a (not-so) closeted disco fan. Instead, it's a reference to my favorite episode of Sports Night, "Dear Louise."

Such a geek.

Posted by: Kimber at March 19, 2008 5:00 PM

Dangle, I already told you I hate the concept!

What, that's trendy now?

But otherwise, yeah, "Lump" *is* catchy! I'm gonna go into a mid-nineties flashback, back when the world was new!

Velocity Girl where are you????

Posted by: Jay at March 19, 2008 5:00 PM

Damn I'm late to the game...

The standard Nokia ringtone makes me want to shout "Hello!?! I'm in an art gallery! What? No it's Shite!" (Trigger Happy TV y'all)

Sympathy for the Devil for my brother. Highly appropriate. He has Sopranos Theme Song for us family.

Weekends:
Austin Powers-Soul Bossa Nova or
James Brown-Get up offa that thing

Rotating/ usually vibrate:
Yoda 'phone is ringing, answer it you must' or Safety Dance or Close Encounters 5 notes

I want to get 2 more:
The Wire Theme Song- Season 4 or 5 and
Snoop Dogg What's Crackalackin'? b/c that voice rocks.

Posted by: Amanda47 at March 19, 2008 5:01 PM

I go back and forth between "Fuel" by Metallica and "Badlands" by Bruce. Why? Because I love James & Bruce.

Posted by: Smello at March 19, 2008 5:02 PM

Bittersweet Symphony, bitches.

Posted by: Jams at March 19, 2008 5:03 PM

Zombie by The Cranberries... because I am an angry white chick.

Posted by: Laura at March 19, 2008 5:06 PM

All calls: the Bleach theme song by Orange Range, I forget the name.
My sister: "I'm a Thug"
Text messages: Super Mario! It makes me happy.

Posted by: phquaryn at March 19, 2008 5:06 PM

Search You Tube for "Trigger Happy TV Giant Phone Compilation" if you don't know what I'm talking about...

Posted by: Amanda47 at March 19, 2008 5:07 PM

Careless Whisper.

Because I'm that awesome.

Posted by: Laura at March 19, 2008 5:08 PM

Laura @5:08 - I'd use Careless Whisper, but I wouldn't want to get misty every time my phone rings.

Posted by: phquaryn at March 19, 2008 5:15 PM

"Definition" by Mos Def and Talib Kweli (Black Star)

Because I've had it for a year now and I still sing it every time it starts -- so catchy.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Rx5aVI2zsFE itll be stuck in your head all day.

Posted by: aidan at March 19, 2008 5:22 PM

My ringtone is whatever I could find in the ringtone menu on my phone (I'm cheap, bitches)
and there were only like three choices (cuz, I'm cheap, bitches). I'm on one of those pay-as-you-go plans (I think you know why). So that's my story. No creativity when it comes to my ringtone.

I will say that I was getting my hair done
(did for all the brothas and sistas out there, holla) last week in large salon in a department store. I was at a sink station and sitting across from me was a woman whose phone began ringing.

What did it play, you ask? That goddamned Alicia Keys mess No One where Keys warbles incessentaly over and over again - the musical equivalent to nails on a chalk board. The woman was getting her hair washed so her stylist had to rush back to her station to get the woman's phone for her.

IT. WOULD. NOT. STOP.

Oh Lord, I have never wanted to commit phonicide so badly and right in front of its owner just so I could see the shocked and disgusted look on her face. I chose the high road however, and let her phone live. Of course, my inaction was rewarded
with her then having a converstation with some man about dinner arrangements on SPEAKERPHONE so I got to hear every fucking detail. This of course proves the old axiom; no good deed goes unpunished.

Did I mention that she talked loud?

Posted by: jen310 at March 19, 2008 5:42 PM

All Calls: Moneymaker by Rilo Kiley
Sister: Beautiful by Carol King
Mom/dad: Eleanor Rigby
Best friend: Get 'em High by Kanye West

Posted by: Melissa at March 19, 2008 5:43 PM

It used to be the main title theme of "The Wizard of Oz."

The new one is the theme to "The West Wing."

The ringtone for the boy that annoys me: The Cell Block Tango, from "Chicago."

Posted by: christina at March 19, 2008 5:46 PM

My usual is Barbie Girl. Yes, the annoying Aqua one. It's just my thing.

For the past several months I've had Sea Lion Woman because it was kind of catchy.

Honestly, I keep my phone on silent so much because I just hate hearing it

Posted by: Kylie at March 19, 2008 5:46 PM

Standard Ring: 'Dancing With Myself' by Billy Idol

Parents: 'Margaritaville' by Jimmy Buffett

High school friends: 'The Boys Are Back In Town' by Deep Purple

Best Friend: '1985' by Bowling for Soup

Alarm: Spongebob Squarepants Theme. (I used to love it, but after having it for my alarm for so long, merely hearing "WhOOOOOOOOO lives in a pineapple under the sea?" sends me into a panic.)

Posted by: Siege at March 19, 2008 5:48 PM

"Baby Fratelli" - The Fratellis, because I'm a working Mom and it's a litle edgy, but fun as well. Also, I live on the Oregon coast so I want to make it clear that I don't listen to country music or butt rock.

Posted by: jayco at March 19, 2008 5:50 PM

I used to have Blink 182's "Dammit" as my ring tone.

I miss it.

Stupid useless Motorola that needs to die.

Posted by: Melody at March 19, 2008 5:57 PM

Here's the thing, I hate cell phones. I hate hearing that fucking ring when I'm out having fun or driving and in my music zone. Yes I have a music zone when driving, sue me.

So yeah, my 'ring tone' is vibrate or silent. Silent just means call me and I'll get back to you when I want to. If that means playing voice mail tag that's fine.

Vibrate or even low ring is for family or best friends. And it better damn well be an emergency. If it's not leave a message on my home phone dammit!

Posted by: Andrew831 at March 19, 2008 6:10 PM

The Super Mario Brothers theme! Chosen because I spent many a happy day of my youth sitting in front of the SNES in the basement trying to get Mario his damn feathers. Just for the record, I'm the child of two Scots. Sunlight's harsh on me, okay?
Chosen because my alternate ringtone (salt'n pepa's 'push it') constantly scared the shit out of me when it burst out with, 'OOH BAY-BUH BABY! B-BAY-BUH BABY!'

Posted by: Lola at March 19, 2008 6:13 PM

That reminds me, I need to waste some money on my cell, so I'll get another ring tone. Except the system is down. Screw you, Rogers.

My current one is 'Spiders' by System of a Down because it was the first SOAD song I heard, and I just like it.

I was hoping to get either 'Weak and Powerless' or 'Counting Bodies Like Sheep' by A Perfect Circle, since they don't have any Tool and they don't have the original (and much better, imo) 'Pet'.

Posted by: Cuno at March 19, 2008 6:13 PM

E-friends:

Ringtones are not a manifesto of fascism. True. But as the fiberglass is wedged so deeply up my cockhole that I cannot help but feel its sting through my every waking minute, I latched onto the pretension of a facet of American culture I thought could not possibly escape the scathing bitchy attention of a site such as pajiba. Manifesto of fascism, no. Ubiquitous blight on our cultural radar and playing right into the hands of corporate cell companies, most certainly.

My bitterness rarely comes out in regards to movies. I love to love good flicks, and i love to hate bad flicks. Just present me with useless popular tripe, and I'm set off.

Kisses and butterflies!!

Posted by: jbag at March 19, 2008 6:24 PM

hee -- I third the Bollywood ringtone love. My phone plays Achchi Lagti Ho from Kuch Naa Kaho (LOVE that movie) for most people, and I have a few exceptions:

For my little brother, Right Here Right Now, the Abhishek hip hop mix, from Bluffmaster. It cracks us both up.

For my Dad, Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay, Otis Redding. It's his favorite.

For my Mom, some violin version of Pachelbel's Canon in D. It's her favorite. How my mom and my dad stay married is beyond me sometimes.

Posted by: Heqit at March 19, 2008 6:31 PM

My default ringtone is "9 in the Afternoon" by Panic at the Disco. Cue Pajiban mocking and excommunication! The other nine ringtones I have on the phone aren't likely to be more popular with this set -- "Sledgehammer" by Peter Gabriel, "Thnks Fr Th Mmrs" by Fall Out Boy, "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" by Panic at the Disco, "Outta My Head" by Ashlee Simpson, "Smile for the Paparazzi" by Cobra Starship, "Bring It" by Cobra Starship, "Pretty Handsome Awkward" by The Used, "Discotech" by Young Love, and "Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too" by Say Anything.

I've got a Sidekick, which means that, yep, I'm one of those obnoxious wretches glued to their phones. This just in: double-tasking is possible.

Posted by: telis at March 19, 2008 6:35 PM

Moonlight Serenade by Glen Miller... makes me feel classy

Posted by: carrie at March 19, 2008 6:38 PM

'Like O, Like H' by Tegan and Sara is my default ring, 'Rise Up With Fists' by Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins plays when my mom calls, and 'Nights of the Living Dead' by Tilly and the Wall plays when my sister calls. I also have 'Nineteen' by Tegan and Sara, but I haven't assigned it to anyone. Right now it just plays whenever I set the alarm.

Posted by: miranda at March 19, 2008 6:49 PM

Vibrate

Posted by: Kevin Longrie at March 19, 2008 6:53 PM

Mine is set on Vibrate to reduce the amount of annoyance in the world.

Posted by: Adam C at March 19, 2008 7:01 PM

The tone is Bond. James Bond.

Posted by: agent bedhead at March 19, 2008 7:06 PM

i usually keep my phone on vibrate because i HATE talking on the phone. i say that i was in court so i had to turn the ringer off and i forgot to turn it back on--which was true the first few times i left my phone on vibrate--if i miss an important call (only applies to doctors and clients).

my friends and family know that i don't answer my phone or check my messages so they e-mail me if they actually have something important to discuss.

my ringtone used to be Faint by Linkin Park because it really annoyed people when my phone would ring and "i won't be ignored" came blaring out. maybe i will turn my ringer back on when i'm on the bus just to piss people off.

Posted by: pq at March 19, 2008 7:10 PM

aahh....late to the diversion as per the norm.

My ringtone is "Soul Bossa Nova" by Quincy Jones.
aka the "Austin Powers" theme song.

It tickles me every time

Posted by: wsapnin at March 19, 2008 7:32 PM

Did you ever notice that the only time any character on TV or in a movie has any sort of personalized ringtone is when the writer is trying to make a point about the character? Otherwise every cell phone on TV just chirps or goes beep.

The plain fact is all song-based ringtones sound stupid to everyone who hears them. Ten or twenty years from now ringtones will be how people from the 2000's are mocked -- along with the pants around their knees.

Posted by: bob at March 19, 2008 7:33 PM

The same ringtone I've used since joining the cellularly-inclined in 1999: Pink Panther theme, baby.

Sadly, since my phone is on vibrate 99.5% of the time, the general populace is usually deprived of my overwhelming coolness.

If my phone allowed me to use different ringtones for different people, it would be:

For my swing/lindy friends: Knock Me A Kiss by Louis Jordan

For my Boston buddies: What's Left of the Flag - Flogging Molly

For the random guys from bars: Low - Flo Rida featuring T-Pain (from the latest dance-porn flick)

For my Agent/Manager: Beverly Hills - Weezer

For Family: Home - Michael Buble (I know. oi.)

Posted by: Gaping MAW at March 19, 2008 7:34 PM

My cellphone currently sucks so I can't download either. When we upgrade this summer I am TOTALLY getting a new ringtone. Mr. greer uses a guitar riff that he created on his stratocaster as his ringtone. I can't top that.

I would probably choose "Toxic" by Ms.Spears, "You Know I'm No Good" by Ms. Winehouse or "It's Not Right But It's Okay" by Ms.Whitney.

Because I love a trainwreck and I am usually expecting disaster whenever someone calls my cellphone.

Posted by: greer at March 19, 2008 7:56 PM

The theme song from Firefly, that I created myself. Because it's shiny.

Posted by: CptCrckpot at March 19, 2008 8:03 PM

My Ringtone is I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone by Sleater-Kinney because a)SK is incredible! and b) it's a song that rocks and it gets my attention when I answer the phone.

Posted by: Kamakaze Feminist at March 19, 2008 8:09 PM

"I will say that I was getting my hair done
(did for all the brothas and sistas out there, holla) last week in large salon in a department store."

"What did it play, you ask? That goddamned Alicia Keys mess No One where Keys warbles incessentaly over and over again - the musical equivalent to nails on a chalk board."

Jen310? Hollaback! Girl, that shit right there? Just. Made. My. Day. I even have Alicia Keys' album and this is the song I cannot listen to.

Posted by: greer at March 19, 2008 8:12 PM

My ringtone is the audio i grabbed off the youtube video of Andrew Meyer getting tasered at the University of Florida's John Kerry forum.

Why? Probably because i'm a sick bastard.
i still lose my shit every time i hear him say that infamous line. But i do tend to hold on to trends too long.

Posted by: Scott at March 19, 2008 8:12 PM

I'm at college and have to take many tests in the university testing center. You're supposed to turn your phone off when you're in there, but sometimes people don't. The one time I actually enjoyed the disruption was the chorus to "More than a Feeling" by Boston. It's been the ringtone I keep going back to ever since. Who doesn't love that song?

Posted by: kelsy at March 19, 2008 8:15 PM

I use "God Of Emptiness" by Morbid Angel because it sounds so goddamned funny in ringtone/midi form. I also use the CTU tone from TV's "24" even though I don't really like the show very much anymore. I use "I Was Made For Lovin You" by Kiss for my S.O. tone because I'm just that darned romantic.

Posted by: Dude Manbro at March 19, 2008 8:16 PM

I'm too cheap to pay for ringtones...so these rings came on the phone...
Smells like teen spirit for my partner. Because he likes it.
Crazy chicken clucking for my mother. Because she's crazy and it amuses me.
Imagine for one brother. There weren't many other choices that I liked.
Superfreak for the other brother. Because I like the song and he calls me a lot.
Sing sing sing for my boss. Few choices left and she's perky and annoying.

Posted by: anikitty at March 19, 2008 8:17 PM

My work phone is just a regular (well, as regular as they come now) phone ring. My personal phone, though, has this as its ring:

http://www.spaced-out.org.uk/m2/mp3/Hardcore%20UK%20Raver.mp3

(taken from the end of Series 1, Episode 6 of Spaced). It gets plenty of "what the fuck..." looks.

Posted by: Cody at March 19, 2008 8:24 PM

I guess I fall under that category of WTF looks - an old woman said that "noise is horrible" when my Nine Inch Nails No You Don't ringtone (Baby's Got A Problem!!!) started screaming. Priceless.

Posted by: jp at March 19, 2008 8:29 PM

My ringtone is "Kiss at the End of the Rainbow" from A Mighty Wind. It's a terribly charming song and NO ONE has it. Hell, I've only found two people who recognized it when they heard my phone ring.

Posted by: superEdna at March 19, 2008 8:32 PM

I kinda wish I had a recording of some pretentious know-it-all saying "God, personalized ringtones are so irritating..." as my personal ringtone.

Until then:
General: Luscious Jackson, "Naked Eye"
Best Friend: Dresden Dolls, "Girl Anachronism"
Husband: Tori Amos, "A Sorta Fairytale"
Parents: The Theme from Benny Hill
Always on silent if I am in a meeting, play, movie, gallery, office, or other enclosed, quiet space. Otherwise, my cell phone ring ain't hurting anybody!

Posted by: Tammy at March 19, 2008 8:36 PM

Brown-eyed girl. Cheesy? Yes! But it has been one of my favorite songs since childhood. I rarely hear it though, I hate talking on the phone, so its mostly just texts.

Posted by: ami at March 19, 2008 8:39 PM

Usually a rotation between Hearbreaker, and Mos Def's Ms. Fat Booty. Because they both describe me perfectly.

Currently kicking it pre-school with "C is for Cookie" by Cookie Monster. I forgot to turn it off during lecture once and no one shot daggers at me, everyone started cracking up.

Posted by: Jessica F at March 19, 2008 9:08 PM

Well, Tammy, you're correct, and also courteous. I've been working with the public for years, often standing at a desk or counter waiting to give my attention, answer questions and provide services, and also food and beverages a little while ago, and on the whole they are *not* courteous and generally unaware that other people are currently existing with ears. Thus my fits of loathing. Kinda like how I imagine someone working in a department store feels about little dancing sound-activated Santas that play "Jingle Bell Rock" over and over and over. And also like the woman who has very animated and sometimes angry conversations/shouting matches with people who aren't currently actually there, and comes in pretty much every day. "Ma'am, I need you to be a little quieter" "Oh, could you hear me?". Not any less self aware than a lot of other people I encounter. She doesn't have a loud announcing ring though, so it can take you by surprise.

I can only speak for myself but I don't care if someone's being creative and having fun with their gadgets, and in this group I quite like some people's tastes (nice choice with Mike's A-Team techno there), but there is just so much noise people are putting out there these days. I mean, I don't know how someone has that much to say to anyone all the time, but that's not my business, I'm just sick of being involved in the process from beginning to end.

Hey, I can wait, I'm paid to be there all day. Go talk to them first and *then* talk to me.

Please!

The service industry thanks you.

Posted by: Jay at March 19, 2008 9:23 PM

My tone is "In the Meantime" by Tim Blane. He's one of my fave artists, and no one (at least no one I've met) knows who he is, so whenever my phone rings I tell whoever I'm with "That's Tim Blane! Isn't it great?"

Lame, I know.

BTW, he really is great and I highly recommend giving him a listen.

I'll stop now.

Posted by: Rachel at March 19, 2008 9:27 PM

My current ringtone is 'Big Girl (You are Beautiful)' by Mika because I am fat and the song makes me laugh (and makes my rolls jiggle). I suppose it could be an empowerment thing but really I just find it amusing.

My previous ringtone that I had for three years, was "Back in the USSR" because I'm a closet Russophile and it reminded me of being in Moscow.

Posted by: pongoo pongoo at March 19, 2008 9:31 PM

I mean, I don't know how someone has that much to say to anyone all the time, but that's not my business, I'm just sick of being involved in the process from beginning to end.

Posted by: Jay at March 19, 2008 9:23 PM

Amen, to you sir. Amen.

And good night.

Posted by: Alabamapink at March 19, 2008 9:35 PM

I have 300 minutes a month and I use about...100. At the absolute most. If it weren't for my job I would use about 30 minutes a month. That's saying something, as I don't even have a home phone.

Anyway! On to the actual diversion... Vibrate, sometimes silent. I just hate hearing it ring. I'm with Jay; there is way too much noise in this world already. If it's really that important then they can leave a message and I will, as my voicemail states, get back to them as soon as possable.

Posted by: Kay at March 19, 2008 9:45 PM

Imperial March.

Though I do mostly keep it on vibrate out in public.

Posted by: lunabelle at March 19, 2008 10:09 PM

I used to have Europe's "The Final Countdown" but then I switched to Justice's "Phantom." Now I have J Dilla and Mad Lib's "The Red." Because they sound great as ring tones.

Posted by: Tanner at March 19, 2008 10:11 PM

Arrested Development theme song.

I like melodic ring tones, no words.

Posted by: sarz at March 19, 2008 10:34 PM

The choral arrangement of "Spider Pig" from the Simpson's movie.

'nuff said.

Posted by: ife at March 19, 2008 10:34 PM

Amanda74, yes! I always shriek in a loud British accent whenever I hear that tone, and no one ever knows what the hell I'm on about, but it still makes me happy.

And tiny phone anecdote for whomever's still around: when we were at the last Harry Potter movie, in a quiet tense scene towards the end, in a packed theater, a cell goes off, loudly playing "Final Countdown." My murderous rage was immediately calmed, however, when some guy yelled out "C'MON!" in perfect GOB tone.
That show unites us all.

Posted by: isabelle at March 19, 2008 10:57 PM

Vibrate.

I've got one of those cheap-ass pay-as-you-go deals, pretty much under protest after I got stuck on a temp job with no communication to the outside world.

(I was in a conference room. Yeah, it had a phone, but when I checked with the switchboard to make sure sure the number on it was the real one I got the news "Oh, I can't send a call there. We can only switch calls to people, not places." Even better? If I wasn't signed in as my boss, I couldn't access my email. So. Communications were I could call out. That was it. Makes it kinda hard to do a job search when no-one can get ahold of you... Wasn't real popular with the temp agency either. If she had to get ahold of me, she ended up calling one of the other temps who had a cell, and have him pass the message I was supposed to call... )

The attitude was if you didn't have a cell, you could just suck on it.

So I got one. The cheapest I could find. (No money. Remember the part about job-hunting?)

Anyway. I'm with Jay, too much annoying noise already. Plus, I cycled through the ones that came with it, and they all pretty much sound alike, generic warbles. Nothing interesting, and I ain't paying for nothing I don't *really* need, so it stays in my pocket on vibrate. Once I get a job, it can sit in a drawer - on vibrate.

Does any one have "Enjoy the Silence" (by Failure)?

As a good Pajiban, maybe I should get that - if I knew how.....

Posted by: bjs1109 at March 19, 2008 11:09 PM

Mine is on vibrate 90% of the time.
The rest of the time my ringtone is the Bill Nye the Science Guy theme song.

I make all my own ringtones, mp3 compatability + miniSD card = Cheapass heaven.

Posted by: Matt R at March 19, 2008 11:10 PM

As much as I hate cell phone use in public, I love the ringtone variation. It allows me to decide whether I need to take the call or not from across the room when I'm at home. At work it's always on vibrate and in public it depends.
But more importantly, my favorite ringtones at the moment are: 1. The Simpson's theme as performed by Green Day 2. Holiday by the Get Up Kids and last but never least 3. Carousel by Blink 182

Posted by: clarity at March 19, 2008 11:11 PM

My first "special" ringtone was a song from a videogame (the Chocobo song from the Final Fantasy games). Then I decided to change it to something more musical and chose Hammer to Fall by Queen. Finally, I became infatuated with my best friend and since I already loved The Office I could use the theme song as a ringtone in a sort of personal irony; now we are a couple and I still have the same ringtone (tough since I use it as my alarm I have started to hate it x_X)

Posted by: Radlum at March 19, 2008 11:21 PM

currently my ringtone is 'Let's Dance to Joy Division' by the Wombats, and it is so because I don't mind if I hear it a couple of times a day, it's an instant mood lifter!! I was also too lazy to go through my mp3 list any more...message tone just boring standard :)

Posted by: Lauren at March 19, 2008 11:28 PM

MO, I have had "Rock Lobster" by B52's in the past, it was awesome!

But at the moment I've got "I Ran" by Flock of Seagulls.

I love me some 80's cheese!

Posted by: Ali at March 19, 2008 11:29 PM

Mine has the standard cheap-ass pay-as-you-go ring when it's not on vibrate.

But my husband used to have a personalized one for me: Duelling Banjos. He did it cuz Deliverance scared me so much.

So I had to stop calling him. I couldn't handle knowing that Duelling Banjos was playing somewhere out there.

Posted by: Peitricia at March 19, 2008 11:55 PM

My current ring tone is "Steve McQueen" by Sheryl Crow. Not because I'm a fan of Crow, but rather because of my obsessive love of all things Steve McQueen.

Before that it was the song "Popular" by Darren Hayes. I loved that ring tone because it made people uncomfortable about hearing a phone ring, when my phone would sing "I'm willing to sleep my way to the top. . . I want to be popular." It was the Funny Games of cell phone ring tones.

Posted by: Ashley MacLennan at March 20, 2008 12:40 AM

so, question:

why the pic from a hindi film (i do believe its om shanti om)? what's that gotta do with ringtones?

just curious.

and yeah, i do love bollywood movies. don't judge.

Posted by: risforrobertlogia at March 20, 2008 12:40 AM

oh, and mah ringtone is 'kiss from a rose'.

again, don't judge. i just love me some seal. much like heidi klum.

Posted by: risforrobertlogia at March 20, 2008 12:43 AM

being tactile, i prefer vibrate mode.
each call is always a good vibration.

Posted by: goddessdelatte at March 20, 2008 12:45 AM

Bel Biv Devoe "POISON"

Posted by: JustKYLE at March 20, 2008 12:47 AM

Also: Wow, you would have never guessed pretentious pajiba readers had pretentious answers for this question.

Ex: my phone's on VIBRATE.

Oh really? All the time? When it's across the room charging? Just own up and tell everybody you got the new B. Spears jumpoff and give it a rest for once.

Posted by: JustKYLE at March 20, 2008 12:50 AM

my current ring tone is vibrate i hate talking on the phone and ringtones annoy me,most of the time i dont even pick up my phone.my friends all know if i say i'll call them i dont ever call

Posted by: ann at March 20, 2008 12:50 AM

I alternate between Nelly Furtado's "Promiscuous," and "In The Club" and "The Way I Are" by Timbaland.

And yes, just to up the annoyance value, I own a pink Razr.

Posted by: Mneme at March 20, 2008 1:08 AM

My cell alternates almost daily between "I Get Around" by Dragonette and the Travis Barker Remix of "Crank That (Soulja Boy)." The reason being that those songs are ridiculously awesome.

Posted by: KatyBelle at March 20, 2008 1:16 AM

Hedwig's Theme. Yup. It goes well with my "Dork" button.

Posted by: Lauren at March 20, 2008 1:17 AM

i make my own ringtones from songs on my computer. they generally rotate from what i like at the time but one stays the same:
afrika bambataa's looking for the perfect beat.
its from the breakdancing worm commercial for some bank.

Posted by: beau campbell at March 20, 2008 1:18 AM

Posted by: el beau at March 20, 2008 1:18 AM

JustKYLE, it is 2 in the morning and I am now searching for the clip of Turk killing it to this song.

Posted by: jM at March 20, 2008 2:07 AM

When my husband decided he didn't want to be married any longer (but couldn't decide he wanted to be divorced), he changed MY ringtone to "I Hate Myself for Loving You" by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. And told me about it. While laughing. And saying how f***ed up my ringtone was.

We don't talk much (although I considered calling him every 15 minutes, just so he'd have to hear it that frequently).

Posted by: NCNN at March 20, 2008 3:04 AM

When my friends call: "I just can't get enough", by Depeche Mode.

When everyone else calls, "Chicha de Curacaví", a nice lil' cueca (Chilean folk). Always brings a smile to whoever's standing next to me.

Posted by: Sofía at March 20, 2008 3:09 AM

Actually I do leave my phone on vibrate even when it's in the charger. The chargers is sitting on an empty coffee can that amplifies the bzzzz quite nicely.

Posted by: Adam C at March 20, 2008 4:31 AM

By freakish coincidence my ringtone is the song from the still at the top of the page. I don't know the name of it, though.

Posted by: taylor at March 20, 2008 5:06 AM

My sentiments exactly Dustin. I flipping hate cell phones. Just the thought of anyone being able to contact you at any given time. Crazy man.

Anyway my ringtone is this guy saying in a pissed off voice, "My God these people will not stop calling me, this is the reason why we refuse to give our number...PAUSE...to people who constantly stalk us."The last line comes off in a scream.

I love the look on ppl faces when my phone goes off in public.

Posted by: Jean at March 20, 2008 8:41 AM

I have a few: The Godfather theme for some friends, The Pink Panther theme for my mom and daddy, and the banjo song from Deliverance for work.

What do I really want that I can't fucking find? The Pinky and the Brain theme song.

Posted by: Captain Steve at March 20, 2008 8:44 AM

I have Yello's "Oh Yeah" from Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

Posted by: eiluj at March 20, 2008 9:10 AM

I have an old phone which doesn't do downloads, so just whatever is the least irritating of it's ringtone choices. I'm not good with gadgets, and besides, everyone I know who likes to own a fancy phone has had one nicked at least once! I just don't fancy the hassle.

I don't usually care what tone people use, as long as it's not so loud it makes me jump, or deliberately chosen to be offensive (no, loud sexist rap with 'fuckers' as it's main lyric is not cool - yes, spotty 15-year-old on the bus, I'm looking at you....)

Jen310 - God, I hate that Alicia Keys song! I feel for you.. ;-)
I also hate people who use speakerphone for public conversations. It was bad enough when we had to listen to one side of an inane conversation - now we have to listen to both? God spare us....

Posted by: Tarn at March 20, 2008 9:14 AM

The only cellphone I've ever owned is now 6 years old, and I hardly ever use it. When I do, I usually get comments like "where'd you get that cell? The 80s?" or get called Zack Morris.

Posted by: Mary at March 20, 2008 9:19 AM

I actually don't do ringtones all that often. instead i use fucked up tv clips as my voicemail message. that way, it keeps random people from leaving me messages. right now, it's stewie from "family guy" screaming "who the hell do you think you are."

i did do a ringtone once. it was the peaches remix of tone-loc's "wild thang." it sounded terrible on a cellphone speaker so i took it off. now it's the boring ringtone.

Posted by: Scott at March 20, 2008 9:36 AM

"By the Way" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

I don't know if it says anything about me... it's been my ring for at least a year now, so I guess it shows loyalty. It's a bit of an embarrasing one, so I'm shameless.

I leave my cell phone in the grad room at school when I'm in class, so I figure if my mom decides to phone incessantly I might as well give my classmates a minute of sing-a-long fun.

Posted by: Ling at March 20, 2008 9:36 AM

Ummm, I am one of those pain in the ass types who has a different ringtone for different people, but currently, my default is Linus and Lucy by Vince Guaraldi. What can I say, I am a Charlie Brown freak. And, it is unique enough that in a room full of people, I always know when it is my phone.

Posted by: dammitjanet at March 20, 2008 9:59 AM

Perhaps my most unintentionally embarrassing ringtone was the two months I used "What the [what] is Ladylike" from Rockstar:Supernova contestant Storm Large. It didn't occur to me that it was unusual for a straight guy to use that until after I was at a crowded open call and people started laughing at me.

Currently, I have two ringtones. For people I know (or who have a listed number), it's "1-2-3-4" by Feist. It's a catchy tune and this ringtone is very, very loud. That's key for the important calls. Everyone else gets "Smile" by Lily Allen, for I need something easily recognizable to tell me not to pick up the phone. I also have "Let Me Entertain You" by Robbie Williams for text messages, for most of the time it's some stupid joke from a friend.

Posted by: Robert at March 20, 2008 10:10 AM

Dustin you and I are in perfect agreement on the phone issue. I really do loathe the whole cell phone situation...it really amazes me that these things are so necessary, yet up to the late 1980s we could function without them.

My ring tone is Driver 8 from REM, because in the chorus it says, "Driver 8 take a break..." like just leave me alone I will be home soon enough.

Posted by: richmac at March 20, 2008 10:18 AM

This feels weird...over 200 comments...and all on topic, no fights, no orgies....

Posted by: Shadows of Dakaron at March 20, 2008 10:19 AM

Oh, insertclevernamehere and anyone else who loves your ringtones, get a usb cable for your old phone and new one, download bitpim for free, then you can transfer all your contacts, ringtones, pictures, EVERYTHING from your old phone to your new one (sorry if someone above already told y'all this....I am too lazy to scroll up and read everything) this has saved my lazy ass more times than I care to say

Posted by: dammitjanet at March 20, 2008 10:34 AM

The Clash - London Calling.

'Cause I am an OLD Hardcore UK Raver.

Posted by: raindog at March 20, 2008 10:59 AM

The first ten seconds of "Eye of the Tiger". Its instrumental awesomeness cannot be denied.

Posted by: ironypants at March 20, 2008 11:17 AM

Mine's a golden oldie...Spandau Ballet's "TRUE". ringtones need to be loud enuf for u to be able to hear it when u get a call and at the same time, not be annoying to everyone else around u...this one fits the bill

Posted by: Jaideep at March 20, 2008 11:26 AM

Jaideep's comment has been brought to you by the letter u.

Y and O are on vacation.

Posted by: Sarina at March 20, 2008 11:43 AM

General calls: "I'm alright"- Kenny Logins. Shut up, I love Caddyshack, and the mental image I get of that damn gopher dancing makes me smile every time.
Close Friend: "Living Dead Girl"- Cause we first bonded over love for Rob Zombie
Certain Fella: "Love you madly"- Cake

Posted by: starkravingsane at March 20, 2008 11:55 AM

I can record voice memos and set them as ringtones, so I recorded myself saying "ring" in the most deadpan delivery possible (and I'm pretty deadpan). Gets a laugh and an echo every time.

Posted by: Justin at March 20, 2008 12:04 PM

Ring #5 on my phone I think. It's a beep.

Posted by: ChiliWillies at March 20, 2008 12:08 PM

The Office theme! Although I, like a previous poster with the same ringtone, have been using it as my alarm as well and I am starting to think that was a bad idea. I need to change the alarm before I can't stand the ringtone anymore.

Posted by: Grace at March 20, 2008 1:13 PM

Amanda47
Thanks for pointing me towards the giant phone clip. I thought it was hysterically funny!

HELLO?

Posted by: tamatha at March 20, 2008 1:16 PM

Why do I always manage to show up to these rather later? It's all in true stoner fashion! I have a plethora of ringtones. Fortunately a friend bluetoothed me a whole bunch of unlocked ones a couple years ago and i've been able to transfer them from phone to phone. I like having different ringtones for different people. Lets me know who's on the other end with out having to actually look at my phone. Brilliant for myself I must confess.......It just feeds my natural sense of laziness

Main = Amy Winehouse - Back to Black
Mom = Lynard Skynard - Sweet Home Alabama
Dad = Johnny Cash - Ring Of Fire
Bro = Family Guy Theme Song
Best Friend #1 = Future Breed Machine
Best Friend #2 = Do you think I'm Sexy

And for other random friends I have.....
Rancid = Timebomb
GNR = Sweet Child Of Mine
Pink Floyd = Brick In the Wall
Marvin Gaye = Lets Get It On
Aqua Teen Hunger Force

Essentially each ringtone reminds me of the certain person.

Posted by: Jax at March 20, 2008 1:19 PM

For a good long while there it was So Fresh So Clean by Outkast. Just so I could boogie a bit. But now it's the Final Countdown so I can always think of GOB Bluth. I smile whenever it rings.

Posted by: amanda at March 20, 2008 2:02 PM

Family gets "Why Georgia" by John Mayer, everyone else gets "Pull Shapes" by the Pipettes, and whenever my friend Emily calls, it plays her saying "Hi Claire, it's Emily. I'm calling to say, I love you!"

Posted by: Claire at March 20, 2008 3:17 PM

Mine is the most annoying ringtone EVER. I have the clip from the movie "Finding Nemo" where the seagulls chant over and over again: "mine?"

I think I find humor in pissing off/confusing folks.

Posted by: little redheaded girl at March 20, 2008 4:31 PM

I hate cell phones and won't use them except in an emergency.

Posted by: rlr260 at March 20, 2008 4:40 PM

My ringtone's the chorus of David Bowie and Trent Reznor's "I'm Afraid of Americans". If that needs explaining, then you need help.

Posted by: Nadha at March 20, 2008 5:05 PM

I previously had the music from the Mystic Cave Zone in Sonic 2.

Yeah, I get bored at work sometimes and make ringtones. So what?

Posted by: Nadha at March 20, 2008 5:14 PM

OM SHANTI OM

YES

Posted by: Meredith at March 20, 2008 8:21 PM

I have two..."Ball and Chain" by Social Distortion (it may be stupid but it makes me giggle every time he calls me) for my husband's phone calls and "Time Bomb" by the Old 97s just 'cause.

Posted by: Melina at March 21, 2008 12:02 AM

Mine is just the default ringtone, but I wish it were the It's Peanut Butter Jelly Time song.

Posted by: CarpePancakes! at March 21, 2008 1:17 AM

Arrested Development theme song.

I, too, have the AD theme song! Word.

Posted by: little ya at March 21, 2008 3:08 AM

'Got Your Money' by Ol' Dirty Bastard, I made it myself so it's just the Kelis part singing 'Hey Dirty, Baby I got Your Money' which makes for an excellent ringtone, especcialy since I've never heard anyone else use this. I also could choose the 'Battle of The Planets' theme which also rules, Or 'The Other Line' (from 'A Prince Among Thieves' by Prince Paul) which is just 'Someone's calling on my phone, Someone is ringing my bell', very appropriate I guess.

Posted by: PropaGanja at March 21, 2008 10:53 AM

Just got a new phone today! I immediately downloaded the song "Fuck You Gently" by Tenacious D. My friends and I were drunkenly singing it last night at a bar (very loudly!) and we got the WTF looks from everyone around us. I decided that I would like to see that look as often as possible! My boss gave me the first one this morning.

little redheaded girl: Gotta get the seagulls on my phone now! I do believe that will be my new text alert. "Mine! Mine! Mine!" LOVES IT!

Posted by: Trouble at March 21, 2008 11:24 AM

"Lollipop" by Mika. Because it makes me dance.

Posted by: raquel at March 21, 2008 1:07 PM

My ringtone is the "Fruity Oaty Bar" song from Serenity. I love the bemused looks I get when my phone goes off in public.

Posted by: Nika at March 21, 2008 2:35 PM

I hate people who hate cell phones. A cell phone is extremely practical and it annoys the fuck out of me that I can't call certain people. Email is too slow as most people only check it twice a day, maybe three times if they are bored.

Anyway, my ring tones are something by Stevie Wonder that my boyfriend put on there as his ringtone but I can't remember what it's called.

Day tripper-Nancy Sinatra for my mom

Some Muse song for my little sister

These Boots Are Made for Walking-for everyone else.

Though my phone is one vibrate about 99% of the time. I don't like blaring my ringers all the time. I only turn them on when I'm in the shower or when I want to be obnoxious.

Posted by: NotBlonde at March 21, 2008 3:51 PM

My ringtone for most people is the opening guitar of Pink Floyd's "Run Like Hell."

Family gets Duran Duran - Hungry Like the Wolf.

Posted by: mandoir at March 21, 2008 4:27 PM

Mmm-bop by Hanson because it is one of the greatest pop songs ever.

Posted by: angela at March 23, 2008 1:51 AM

My main ringtone is "so what" by Miles Davis because it sounds smooth and kinda eases me into the call. I mean come on, it's Miles.

Posted by: Susan at March 23, 2008 12:00 PM

My ringtone was just a regular one, it just sounded like a normal phone.

But now it's Naughty Girl by Mr. G :D
Ectasy, ectasy, e, e, e, e, ectasy.

Posted by: Chantelle at March 24, 2008 5:58 AM

Sarina I hear you... mine's the theme from "the muppet show" - coz it's the muppets

"All along the watch tower" - When my Brother calls, because he loves Hendrix, like in a really wierd way

"At last" Etta james - When the missus calls, because it's how I feel about her

"Love in elevator" - When my best buddy calls. Ummm we were 17 (fuck that's 11 years ago), we met at a party, had the best "destroy random furniture, tear curtains and generally fuck up the room" sex and did so for about 3 months including this one time we got kicked out of an office building for well the song says it all really and drifted into one of the healthiest platonic friendships I have ever had. The only woman I am closer to is the missus who shall officially become the missus this July.

Posted by: Colombo at March 24, 2008 6:06 AM

That should read: "The only woman I am closer to other than her is the missus who shall officially become the missus this July"

Posted by: Colombo at March 24, 2008 6:11 AM

The "Transformers" theme.

The why: 'cause I like it.

It went off in a meeting last week at work. That was the only time I've ever felt a smidge of embarrassment about it.

Posted by: Lolo at March 24, 2008 2:25 PM

I have a very old phone, and it's current ringtone is the old-fashioned phone ring. Nice and simple. I don't have it browser enabled at the moment, but one day, when it dies and I get a new one, my fantasy is to have a clip of "Hello, Dimitri?" from 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Posted by: Jen at March 25, 2008 6:53 AM

I am surprisingly horrible with my cell phone for being a mid-20's woman. I never have it on.

However, I am always at my computer, so I ask that all my friends and family send me emails or contact me on google chat.

"Wouldn't it be nice"- The Beach Boys

Posted by: June Marie at March 25, 2008 11:17 AM

I'm one of those people who has a different tone for each frequent caller. I'm also addicted to my phone. Shut up.

General all-purpose ring: Six Feet Under theme
My husband: Bewitched theme
My mom: Dolores Umbridge theme from Harry Potter
My sister: Peaches by Presidents of the United States of America

Posted by: Kristin at March 28, 2008 4:27 PM

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