“I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” is a Christmas novelty song written by Jon Rox in 1953. The song became famous when it was performed by a 10-year-old child star Gayla Peevey in the same year. The song was an instant hit and is still widely popular today. The song has a catchy tune and funny lyrics that make it a favorite among children and adults alike.
The Lyrics
The lyrics of the song are simple and humorous. They describe the desire of a child to receive a hippopotamus as a Christmas gift. The child lists all the reasons why a hippopotamus would be the perfect gift, including its cuteness, its ability to swim and play, and its friendly nature. The chorus of the song repeats the line “I want a hippopotamus for Christmas, only a hippopotamus will do”.
Here are the complete lyrics of the song:
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
Don’t want a doll, no dinky Tinker Toy
I want a hippopotamus to play with and enjoy
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
I don’t think Santa Claus will mind, do you?
He won’t have to use our dirty chimney flue
Just bring him through the front door,
that’s the easy thing to do
I can see me now on Christmas morning,
creeping down the stairs
Oh what joy and what surprise
when I open up my eyes
To see a hippo hero standing there
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
No crocodiles, no rhinoceroses
I only like hippopotamuses
And hippopotamuses like me too
Teacher says a hippo is a vegeterian
(Hippopotamuses are vegetarians)
There’s lots of room for him in our two-car garage
I’d feed him there and wash him there and give him his massage
I can see me now on Christmas morning,
creeping down the stairs
Oh what joy and what surprise
when I open up my eyes
To see a hippo hero standing there
I want a hippopotamus for Christmas
Only a hippopotamus will do
No crocodiles or rhinoceroseses
I only like hippopotamuseses
And hippopotamuses like me too!
The Singer
Gayla Peevey was born on March 8, 1943, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She was a child star who became famous for her performance of “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas”. She recorded the song when she was just 10 years old, and it became an instant hit. Peevey continued to perform and record music throughout her childhood and teenage years, but she never achieved the same level of success as she did with “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas”.
The Meaning
The song is a lighthearted and fun take on the Christmas season. It represents the innocence and joy of childhood, as well as the excitement and anticipation of receiving gifts. The song also highlights the unique and quirky desires that children have, and the lengths they will go to in order to get what they want. Overall, the song is a reminder to enjoy the simple things in life and to cherish the moments of happiness and laughter.
The Legacy
“I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” has become a holiday classic that is played every year during the Christmas season. The song has been covered by many artists over the years, and it has been featured in movies, TV shows, and commercials. The song has also inspired many memes and parodies, which have further cemented its place in popular culture.
The song has also been used for charitable purposes. In 2007, Gayla Peevey launched a campaign to raise money for the Oklahoma City Zoo, which was in need of renovations. She encouraged people to donate money to the zoo in exchange for a hippopotamus plush toy and a CD of her recording of “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas”. The campaign was a huge success and raised over $100,000 for the zoo.
The Bottom Line
“I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” is a fun and lighthearted Christmas song that has become a classic. The song has a catchy tune and hilarious lyrics that make it a favorite among children and adults alike. The song represents the innocence and joy of childhood and reminds us to cherish the moments of happiness and laughter. It is a song that will continue to be played and enjoyed for generations to come.
