Everybody Loves to Cha Cha Cha

"Everybody Loves to Cha Cha Cha" is a song by American singer-songwriter Sam Cooke, released in January 1959. The song was one of Cooke's biggest successes on Billboard's Hot R&B Sides chart, peaking at number two; the song also charted at number 31 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The song references the cha-cha-cha, a dance of Cuban origin that became popular in the United States in the late 1950s.

The song originated from a Christmas 1958 party at Lou Rawls' stepfather’s house. During the celebration, all began doing the cha-cha-cha, including Cooke’s daughter, Linda.^[1] When one of the kids called out, "Everybody, cha-cha-cha!", Cooke grabbed a sheet of paper and wrote down the lyrics while everyone else danced. The song was recorded the week after New Year's 1959.^[1]

The song concerns Cooke and his girlfriend going to a dance in which all are doing the cha-cha-cha, a dance which his significant other doesn't know how to do. Cooke teaches his guest but by the end of the evening, she is "doing [the cha-cha-cha]" better than he is.^[2]

Credits adapted from the liner notes to the 2003 compilation Portrait of a Legend: 1951–1964.^[1]

• Sam Cooke – vocals
• Adolphus Asbrook – bass guitar
• Charles Blackwell – drums
• Jack Costanza – bongos
• Rene Hall – guitar
• Mike Pacheco – congas
• Clifton White – guitar

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