Like numerous other works by Cage, Cheap Imitation was a result of his collaboration with Merce Cunningham's dance company.
However, in this case the original choreography relied not on Cage's music, but on a piano arrangement of Erik Satie's symphonic drama Socrate.
[2] Cage titled the result Cheap Imitation, and Cunningham responded in kind, naming the choreography Second Hand.
The rhythmic structure of the phrases is based on Satie's original, usually on the vocal line, occasionally on the orchestral parts.
The pitches were determined using chance operations with the I Ching, through the following questions: Cage observed phrase and note repeats present in Satie's melodies, adding them to his imitation.
[9] Cage would subsequently write several more pieces based on other composers' works, similarly using chance procedures to alter the originals.