Skip to content

Song

I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas

by Gayla Peevey

I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas is a 1953 song by Gayla Peevey, 2:38 long. A karaoke version is available on KaraFun. It fits the Christmas song themes.

Karaoke version available

Released 1953 Length 2:38

Opens a KaraFun search for this song. KaraFun is a separate service; full playback generally needs a KaraFun subscription. Report a correction

John Rox's novelty song, performed by 10-year-old Gayla Peevey and released by Columbia on November 11, 1953 with Are My Ears on Straight? on the B-side. It peaked at No. 24 on Billboard's pop chart, and an Oklahoma City campaign presented Peevey with a real hippo, which she donated to the city zoo.

Performance tips

Go full kid: bright, eager and totally sincere.
Hit the title word with comic emphasis every time.
Keep the energy bouncy and grin through it; it is pure fun.

In these themes

Christmas

Karaoke versions

There's a karaoke version of this song. Most karaoke services carry it; KaraFun lists it among its catalog.

Find karaoke versions on YouTubeOpens a YouTube search for "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" karaoke