Culture Watch : Send a Song Via Touch-Tone

When it comes to relating to your Valentine, are you high on enthusiasm but low on words? If so, there’s something coming out of Washington, D.C., that could be music to your ears.

Send-A-Song offers an alternative to chocolates and flowers, with the help of a touch-tone telephone. For $9.95 ($24.95 for three), call (800) 251-8000, choose a song, record a 20-second message, and an original Valentine’s gift, birthday surprise or any-day message will be delivered almost anywhere in or out of the country at the day and time you designate.

The innovation came from brothers Daniel (a former engineer) and Timothy (a marketing specialist) Price, who got the idea from their sister Eileen, who used to sing to them over the phone.

More than 200 songs cover a variety of occasions. How about Hammer’s “Can’t Touch This” for a date who came on a little strong? Or for a farewell message to a boss, try Johnny Paycheck’s “Take This Job and Shove It.”

Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” is currently one of the hottest picks, as is Bing Crosby’s version of “Happy Birthday.” With the change in Washington’s political climate, Fleetwood Mac’s “Don’t Stop” was recently added to the list.