WARREN, NJ. (Top40 Charts/ Virgin
Mobile USA) - While more than 220 million wireless ringtones and ringback tones are sold annually each year, they take on special significance when February 14 rolls around. To find out how Americans use their cell phones to show their feelings about torrid love...or downright disgust, no annual contract wireless provider Virgin
Mobile USA conducted a survey* of Americans ages 18-49, asking them to rate their top ringtones and ringback tones for the current or "ex" loves of their lives.
The popular Alicia Keys track "No One" took the top spot for "Best Ringtone or Ringback Tone for a Significant Other." Keys' soulful rendition about overcoming the odds beat out other worthy contenders including The Temptations' classic "My Girl," Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here," "She's Everything," by Brad Paisley and "Make Me Feel Better" by Fabulous. To see the survey results in their entirety, please visit https://web.virginmobileusa.com/life/survey.
Since Valentine's Day can also leave some feeling in a less than loving mood, Virgin Mobile also polled Americans on the Best Ringtone/Ringback Tone to Assign to an "Ex." "I Hate Everything About You" took the top spot, beating out the cynical "Irreplaceable", Kelly Clarkson's "Since You've Been Gone," fellow American Idol alum Chris Daughtry's "Over You," and "Ex-Girlfriend."
Celebrities/Personalities Chime In
Some celebrities shared their ringtone choices with Virgin Mobile USA as well:
- Elisabeth Hasselback set "I Have Always Loved You" by Third Day for her husband Tim.
- Fellow "The View" co-host Sherri Shepherd has both "Irreplaceable" by Beyonce and Gloria Gaynor's classic "I Will Survive" ringtones to identify her ex.
- Virgin Group CEO Richard Branson hears "My Girl" when his significant other rings on his Virgin Mobile phone.
- Ok! Magazine's Editor-in-Chief Sarah Ivens chose "Foundations" by Kate Nash as the ringtone she has set when an ex gives her a ring. "Love Today" by Mika is the tone she sets for a new love interest that calls.
- Fashion designer Issac Mizrahi has Rihanna's "Umbrella" set for his boyfriend, Arnold.
- Mr. Grumpy of "The Men Show," Cartoon Network's new animated comedy series has "Rainy Days and Mondays" by the Carpenters set as the ringtone for his ex.
Music for Musicians
Music artists clearly have a passion for music so it comes as no surprise that they also download a special ringtone or two for significant callers.
- Sultry R&B singer Cheri Dennis chose "Shawty is A Ten" by The Dream as best ringtone for a significant other. Her choice for a ringtone for an ex is "Since U Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson.
- And hot Miami rapper Trina has her own hit song, "Single Again," set for when her ex calls.
- Emerging pop artist Ferras, well-known for his hit single, "Hollywood's Not America," has "You Look So Fine," by Garbage set for when his significant other calls. When his ex dials him, he hears "Just Friends" by Gavin Degraw. Ferras' favorite love song for Valentine's Day is "Wicked Game" by Chris Issac.
- R&B singer J. Holiday has his own hit single, "Bed," set for when his significant other calls. "Complicated," by Robin Thicke, is the song J. Holiday has set for when his ex calls. His favorite love song for Valentine's Day is "Let's Get It On" by Marvin Gaye.
- Fellow R&B singer Trey Songz chose his single "We Should Be" as his ringtone for a significant other. He selected another of his own singles, "Hatin' Love," as the ringtone he has set for his ex.
- Rock and alternative band member Ryland of Cobra Starship set "Let's Make Love and Listen To Death From Above" by CCS as his ringtone to signal a call from his significant other. Ryland's song for his ex is Hall & Oates' "Rich Girl." "Chelsea Hotel No 2" by Leonard Cohen is Ryland's favorite love song.
- French Canadian punk band Simple Plan's lead singer Pierre Bouvier likes "Cupid's Chokehold" by Gym Class Heroes as his lover's ringtone; for his ex, it's "I Don't Want You Back" by Eamon. This Valentine's Day, Bouvier's favorite love song is "Hold My Heart (Part 2)" by Letterkills.
- Christian [rocker] NeedToBreathe likes Tom Petty's "Wildflowers" for a significant other and "One" by U2 for exes. Favorite romantic ringtone overall is "Shelter" by Ray LaMontagne.
Songs To Love By
For some, Valentine's Day isn't just about falling in love or breaking up - it's also about the fun stuff in between. For those who are naughty by nature, here are the songs Americans rated as the best for "hooking up" on February 14:
- I Wanna Love You by Akon
- She Will Be Loved by Maroon 5
- French Kissing Life by Kenny Chesney
- Suck My Kiss by Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Clothes Off by Gym Class Heroes
That Special Time
Finally, the Virgin Mobile survey asked Americans to rate the best song to hear when losing one's virginity. A quarter of those polled chose "It's Your Love". This husband-wife team duet beat out:
- Feels Like the First Time by Foreigner
- Give It to Me by Timbaland
- Like a Virgin
- Gimme More
Cobra Starship's Ryland also shared the song he lost his virginity to - the theme song to the television sitcom "Home Improvement." For that special occasion, Pierre Bouvier tells us he lost his virginity to Warrant's "Cherry Pie." And J. Holiday wasn't shy when answering what song he lost his virginity to: "Forever My Lady" by Jodeci.
Pick-Up Lines
For those not attached on Valentine's Day and looking to brush up on their courting skills, Virgin Mobile USA is encouraging customers to create their own wallpaper with text of the best and worst pick-up lines through its "Studio V," Virgin Mobile's own user-generated mobile content community. Other customers can then rate the pick-up lines and download the wallpapers at https://studiov.virginmobileusa.com/.
*Survey of 500 adults 18-49 conducted in January 2008 for Virgin Mobile by PKS Research Associates.
