Gangnam Style, the musical musings of South Korean pop star PSY, is one of the most famous tunes in the world right now, thanks to the power of social media and daggy dancing. The 34-year-old singer, songwriter and choreographer uploaded the video to YouTube in June, where it quickly became one of the site's most-viewed clips ever.

''Gangnam style'' refers to the lavish lifestyle of Seoul's ritzy Gangnam borough, much like Red Hill, only with fewer suits and more colourful tuxedos. So far the video has been viewed more than 479 million times and the song, a combination of English and Korean rap, now sits on top of the music charts around the world including the US, Britain and Australia.

The song is from PSY's sixth studio album, which has elevated him from re-enacting Lady Gaga and Beyonce in dimly lit clubs to appearing on Saturday Night Live and being signed by the manager behind Justin Bieber, Scooter Braun.

The dance, affectionately known as the ''horse dance'' in bars, dance schools and living rooms around Australia, is now officially a cultural craze, joining the likes of Tina Turner's nutbush, the macarena and vogue by Madonna.

On Tuesday night, close to two million Australians tuned in to The X Factor to watch PSY, the man who coined the phrase ''dress classy, dance cheesy'', gallop around on stage for six minutes.

While the song waxes lyrical about ''sexy ladies'', the dance refers to a Korean saying which means ''let's have a drink and have some fun''. According to the American Council on Exercise, it will burn 200 calories if kept up for 30 minutes.

According to the content director of Canberra FM and 104.7FM, Drew Chapman, there hasn't been a song like Gangnam Style since 1997 - the year Macarena was released.

''It's a very polarising song. No one likes Gangnam Style; people either love it or absolutely hate it. People are even starting to hate themselves for liking it,'' Mr Chapman told The Canberra Times.

The resident DJ at the Academy Nightclub, Mark ''Runamark'' Robson, who mans the decks Thursday and Saturday nights, said revellers cannot get enough of the song and are requesting he play it at least three times a night.

''I can see why it's catchy. If I wanted to play a song to get people dancing, it would be a go-to song for sure,'' Runamark said.

However, the song's popularity has also infiltrated the iPods of many Canberrans, who are now requesting to learn how to ''Gangnam''.

The owner and director of Dance Central, Julie Scheer, told The Canberra Times since that Monday her Phillip dance studio has received a number of private booking requests from people of all ages who want to master the core Gangnam steps of ''the Horse'', ''the Lasso'' and ''Sexy Lady''.

Dance teacher Thea Kabadanis, the team leader of Battlegrounds 2012 winners DC Crew, has broken down the Gangnam Style dance into three steps:

Step 1: The Horse. Stand with your legs a shoulder-width apart and slowly stomp your feet, one at a time. As the tempo of the music picks up, so too should your pace work and then work in an extra step - ''stomp, stomp, double-stomp'' is what you should be saying to yourself over the noisy techno music.

Then cross your wrists and pick up the imaginary reins of your imaginary horse. The Gangnam Style dance incorporates a wave-like movement from your wrist to your shoulder, so keep your wrists loose.

Next, put the two moves together and stomp like a winemaker in Bordeaux during harvest.

Step 2: The Lasso. Drop the reins but continue stomping as you swing an imaginary lasso above your head. Remember to smile!

Step 3: The Sexy Lady. Lock your knees so your legs are straight. Put your hands on your hips. Begin swaying from side-to-side and kick out your foot but only on one side. Keep your top half relaxed and a smile on your face.

Even with their eyes on the ACT election prize, not even local politicians are immune to Gangnam's infectious groove.

A candidate for the ACT Greens, James Higgins, tweeted to The Canberra Times: ''If I get elected, I can guarantee to Gangnam Style.''

The Labor Party, however, says it is taking a more conservative approach.

''ACT Labor campaign director have told all candidates and volunteers to avoid any Gangnam Style moves whilst doorknocking,'' ACT Labor branch state secretary Elias Hallaj posted on Twitter.

At time of print, there was still no word from the Liberals informing us whether Team Zed would celebrate or commiserate on Saturday - Gangnam Style.