Stephanie Myers of Allston is the best around, and nothing’s going to ever keep her down. How does she know? The 26-year-old’s cell phone tells her so every day it rings.

Myers proudly sports Joe Esposito’s 1985 semi-hit “You’re the Best” — commonly known as the theme from the original “Karate Kid” movie — as her ringtone of choice.

Once a rare glimmer of hope for the music industry, ringtone sales have experienced a slight decline in recent years. Broadcast Music Inc. forecast that overall ringtone sales in the United States will drop 7 percent that year, after falling 8 percent in 2007. However, many cell-phone users still eschew the generic phone-supplied jingles and rings for familiar notes and sounds echoing pop culture, ranging from everything from the “Days of Our Lives” theme song to M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes.”

Like it or not, ringtones offer a soundbite of a person’s persona.

“I think what it says about me is pretty obvious . . . that I’m the best around!” Myers said. “No, really, I think it says that I know too much about ’80s stuff that other citizens would rather forget. I actually think that is a good song from an awesome movie.”

While “I Kissed a Girl” by Katy Perry proclaims unexpected sapphic emotions, the song has a different meaning for Lauren Virnoche.

“This says that I like to drink, and when I do I like to buy new ringtones based on bar soundtracks,” said the 23-year-old from Brighton. “This additionally says that I am lazy, considering it’s been two-ish months and I still haven’t changed it.”

Some cell users prefer the sound of silence, opting for the vibrate mode.

“I’m too controlling to get embarrassed by guilty-pleasure ringtones,” said Audrena Lovely, 23, of Brighton. “Plus, I like the sudden thrill of a subtle vibration.”

Fletcher, host of “The…

[Source] dhiram