Ringtones were once considered the goldmine of the music industry, commanding three times as much as a digital song download. But industry numbers show that ringtones sales are down in the past two years, and some believe the ringtone may soon disappear. In another Soundcheck Smackdown debate, we hear from a ringtone lover and a hater. And, we take your calls.
Tell us: What do you think of ringtones? Do you use them on your phone? What song did you buy -- and what do others think of it?
Comments [30]
i'm gettin john's new album; his lyrics in the 90's took me deep and down in chicago; and no one there was listening to him; but me; and i still am; closely; and feeling very inspired by his words, rhythms, and beats; and i learned quite a bit on that journey; thanks john; i'm still fightin brother and totally understand; good work behind bars; there's lots to be done
sometimes people have psychological relationships to songs. attach "your song" with your significant other to when she calls. how perfect is that!
I also customize my ringbacks to the caller. I'd never listen to "Copacobana" on my own, but a good friend loves it.
JP is spot on.
Four words… “Eye of the Tiger”
Not appropriate the first time it goes off during a meeting and even worse the second time.
I miss my Sony Ericson’s old fashioned Ma Bell ringer, my LG sounds like those newfangled 1980s Conair tones.
(and what’s with people playing their ringtones on the subway?)
I would so rather hear a ringtone instead of the jingles of the various phone companies, which I find horribly annoying.
I use Led Zeppelin’s “Communication Breakdown” as my ringtone. (However, I put it on vibrate when I’m on the bus because I’m civil that way.)
Ring tones are pure narcissism. “Hey everybody, look at me, look at me, I’ve got crappy music being blasted at full volume on a crappy sound system so everyone around me can here me if they like it or not”…
I am curious. One of your speakers talked about piracy, and implied that if I own a song, and I select that song as the file my phone plays when someone calls (I have a smart phone, so mp3's wav's any music format works already), then I am committing piracy. Is that true? Why?
Much like Boom boxes in the late 70's and 80's- it's more about claiming space, not sharing songs or audio.
I love ringtones...mine is actaually a song called "Ringtone" by Weird Al Yankovic
I love ringtones...my current ringtone is actually a song called "Ringtone" by Wierd Al Yankovic :)
Say good bye to public space.
Call me a purist, but I hate hearing great songs as ringtones or featured in car commercials!
I recently looked up lyrics for a song I love and it offered it up as a ringtone and all I could think was "is nothing sacred?"
The sound becomes so distorted and songs that have real meaning get reduced to novelty items.
Have they solved that irritating thing with the "ringback" tone that makes it impossible to call from a landline? The landline caller's phone can't identify the song that plays on the other end as a "ring," so the call doesn't go through.
Here is something to discuss: The silent ringtone. ON an iphone you can select individual ringtones for different numbers. I use a silent ringtone and attach it to numbers that I don't want to answer (telemarketers)
I love ring tones. But I'd never pay for one. I have ring tones personalized for each person in my family. I rip the song from CD, and use the free sound editing software Audacity to chop up the song then email it to my phone. Then I save it as a ringtone.
One other point:
I don't think this helps the music industry. I think it cheapens it further. It's even worse than your favorite song being used to sell cars or cleanser.
This is by far the most heated Smackdown yet. These two really don't agree. We need more of these.
Ring back is a HUGE abuse. Ring tones are bad enough. Why should I have to be subjected to someone's questionable taste in music when making a simple phone call?
john; have i mentioned i f@#$!$! love you; i like thinking about your guest when my mom reminds me i'm unemployed; are you kidding me?; you know who loved ring tones?; the kids i taught in the bronx; where did they get the money for the ring tone?; wow!; maybe i should just go to afghanistan and fight; or send your f@#$!$! guest; and let me teach for f#$! sake; send jay z; and chris b
thanks once again for the adrenaline rush! you make me begin to feel like a wacko!; that song; no you didn't oh my god; people are buying that shit; john; stop it!
do ringtones actually have something to do with music???!!!
No matter what my ringtone is, song or traditional tone, it always gets on my nerves after a few days. I would hate to ruin my favorite songs by making them my ringtone.
And, Nothing is classier than having your phone start playing Soulja Boi's latest "hit" when you are around business contacts. Very Professional.
No matter what my ringtone is, song or traditional tone, it always gets on my nerves after a few days. I would hate to ruin my favorite songs by making them my ringtone.
And, Nothing is classier than having your phone start playing Soulja Boi's latest "hit" when you are around business contacts. Very Professional.
No matter what my ringtone is, song or traditional tone, it always gets on my nerves after a few days. I would hate to ruin my favorite songs by making them my ringtone.
And, Nothing is classier than having your phone start playing Soulja Boi's latest "hit" when you are around business contacts. Very Professional.
No matter what my ringtone is, song or traditional tone, it always gets on my nerves after a few days. I would hate to ruin my favorite songs by making them my ringtone.
And, Nothing is classier than having your phone start playing Soulja Boi's latest "hit" when you are around business contacts. Very Professional.
No matter what my ringtone is, song or traditional tone, it always gets on my nerves after a few days. I would hate to ruin my favorite songs by making them my ringtone.
And, Nothing is classier than having your phone start playing Soulja Boi's latest "hit" when you are around business contacts. Very Professional.
The ringing of any cell phone is annoying, especially my own, let alone a ringtone. Hearing someone else's favorite song unsolicited is completely obnoxious. I hope this business goes the way of the dinosaur.
The ringing of any cell phone is annoying, especially my own, let alone a ringtone. Hearing someone else's favorite song unsolicited is completely obnoxious. I hope this business goes the way of the dinosaur.
In most public situations, ringtones are just inappropriate. People should put their phones on "vibrate." I can't see any practical use for ringtones, except to annoy others.
call me crazy, but i long for the days of my startac and its phone-sounding ringtones! imagine that, a phone that sounds like a phone!
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