Everybody Loves to Cha Cha Cha
"Everybody Loves to Cha Cha Cha" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Sam Cooke | ||||
B-side | "Little Things You Do" | |||
Released | January 1959 | |||
Format | 7" | |||
Recorded |
January 7, 1959 Radio Recorders (Hollywood, California) | |||
Genre | R&B, cha-cha-cha | |||
Length | 2:35 | |||
Label | Keen | |||
Writer(s) | Sam Cooke | |||
Producer(s) | Bumps Blackwell | |||
Sam Cooke singles chronology | ||||
|
"Everybody Loves to Cha Cha Cha" (originally released as "Everybody Likes 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.
Background
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]
Personnel
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
- The back-up vocals are provided by Darlene Love and The Blossoms[3]
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
Chart (1959) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Billboard Hot 100[4] | 31 |
US Hot R&B Sides (Billboard)[4] | 2 |
References
- 1 2 3 Portrait of a Legend: 1951–1964 (liner notes). Sam Cooke. US: ABKCO Records. 2003. 92642.
- ↑ Guralnick, Peter (2005). Dream Boogie: The Triumph of Sam Cooke. New York: Back Bay Books, p. 268-69. First edition, 2005.
- ↑ Guralnick, Peter, Dream Boogie: The Triumph of Sam Cooke, Little, Brown and Company, New York, 2005 p. 269-270
- 1 2 "Sam Cooke – Awards". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved February 28, 2014.