The Christmas novelty song “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” was written by songwriter John Rox.
Songwriter
John Rox composed “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” in the early 1950s as a lighthearted holiday novelty tune. The song was released in 1953 and has since become a perennial seasonal favorite.
Original performer
The song was first recorded and popularized by 10-year-old singer Gayla Peevey, whose 1953 version made it onto the Billboard pop chart. Her recording is still the best-known rendition associated with the song and helped cement its place in Christmas music.
