Cell phones are all about customization and you can choose what you hear when someone calls you (ringtones), what your callers hear while your phone rings (ringback tones) and how your phone looks (skins or covers).
As a mom of two teens, I am constantly hearing about the need for the latest, hottest ringtone. Our carrier, Verizon, offers thousands of each (as do the other carriers) and there are even places to get free ringtones or to make your own.
All of this made me wonder ... which Christian and Gospel ringtones are the most popular? According to Verizon, these are the top Christian ringtones.
1. "God In Me" - Mary Mary f/ Kierra "KiKi" Sheard
Columbia
The 12th most popular song of 2009 was the most popular Gospel ringtone in December.
More About Mary Mary
Mary Mary on WOW Gospel 2008
Mary Mary on WOW Gospel 2006
Top 10 Christian Albums Sold in 2005
2. "Safe From Harm" - Bebe Winans
Still Waters Recordings
Coming from Bebe's 2005 Dove nominated release, Dream, "Safe From Harm" comes in at number 2. This beautiful tone will remind you how good God is every time your phone rings!
3. "The Slam" - tobyMac
Forefront Records
"The Slam" has been popular since it was first released in 2004, having been used in season one of Prison Break, as well as in movies like Into the Blue, Crank, and Never Back Down.
More About tobyMac
4. "Never Would Have Made It" - Marvin Sapp
Provident
First released in 2007 on Thirsty, "Never Would Have Made It" was the 23rd most popular song of 2008.
5. "Free To Be Me" - Francesca Battistelli
Fervent Records
The third most popular song of 2009, "Free to be Me" spent 21 weeks in the Top 10, so it should come as no surprise that the ringtone is popular too.
More About Francesca Battistelli
Inside the Heart of Christian Singer / Songwriter, Francesca Battistelli
6. "The Words I Would Say" - Sidewalk Prophets
Word Records
The first single from their debut album is gaining in popularity as is the ringtone for the moving ballad.
7. "American Dream" - Casting Crowns
Another blast from the past, "American Dream" came to us on Casting Crowns' debut, self-titled album.
More About Casting Crowns
8. "All Around Me" - Flyleaf
Once again, it appears that as people said "goodbye" to the first decade of the 21st Century, they looked to the past for their ringtones. "All Around Me" came to us in 2005 on Flyleaf's debut album, rather than from their '09 release, Memento Mori.
More About Flyleaf
9. "I'm Not Who I Was" - Brandon Heath
Provident
While two hit singles from What if We made the Top Hits of 2008 and 2009 respectively, fans have gone even farther back to 2006's Don't Get Comfortable for the 9th most popular ringtone.
10. "Butterfly Kisses" - Bob Carlisle
Benson Records
The song that won Bob Carlisle a Dove Award in 1997 as the Song of the Year and a GRAMMY for the Best Country Song the same year is now, over a decade later, one of the most popular Christian ringtones.
