The Cha Cha Slide, or Casper Slide as it is also known, was released in 1996 as a song/dance track developed specifically for Bally’s Total Fitness. The song became so popular at their gyms that the creator DJ Casper (aka Mr. C) decided to record it on his album Cha Cha Slide: The Original Slide Album. The album was released on September 19, 2000, and the dance became widely popular in North America, especially in Houston, Chicago, Atlanta, Memphis, and Detroit.

The song has been very popular at elementary, middle, and high school events, as well as at dance clubs, parties, skating rinks, and weddings. The song acts as an updated replacement for the Electric Slide, which was popular in the 1980s.

To perform this dance is rather simple, especially since all the moved are called out in the lyrics.

• "Take it to the left!" or "Take it to the right!" - Step to the side with the left (right) foot, step across left (right) foot with the right (left) foot, step to the side with the left (right) foot, touch the right (left) foot beside the left (right.)

• "Take it back now!" - Step back with the left foot, step back with the right foot, step back with the left foot, touch right foot beside left.

• "One hop this time!" - Hop forward with both feet.

• "Right (Left) foot let's stomp!" - Stomp right (left) foot in front.

• "Now, Cha Cha!" - Cross the right foot over the left, step back with the left foot, step to the right with the right foot, step forward with the left foot.

• "Turn it out!" or "Let's Go to Work!" - Make a slight turn to the left, step to the right with the right foot, step across right foot with the left foot, step to the side with the right foot, touch the left foot beside the right.

• "Clap your hands!" - Clap your hands (fast) to the beat.

• "Criss Cross!" - Jump both feet out, jump and cross right over left, jump both feet out, jump both feet together.

• "Slide to the left!" - Step to the left with the left foot, slide right foot to meet the left. "Slide to the right!" Step to the right with the right foot, slide left foot to meet the right.

• "Reverse, Reverse!" - Do the slide to the opposite side.

• "How low can you go?" - Lean back toward the floor, bending down as low as you can go.

• "Bring it to the top!" - Pull yourself back up to a standing position, waving your arms above your head.

• "Hands on your knees!" - With your hands crossing from knee-to-knee, bend your knees and bounce to the beat.

• "Charlie Brown!" - Rock forward on right foot while kicking left foot back.

• "Freeze!" - Freeze and strike a pose...with attitude!