When I was waiting in line on Friday for my cream puffs at State Fair Park, I decided to switch from NPR (a show I wasn't interested in at 11 am) to a station playing Christmas. I hadn't heard 'I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas' in ages and it just made me giggle. I don't have any pets, although I have had dogs, but I thought that maybe a hippo would be fun for a pet.
This novelty song was written by John Rox and performed by Gayla Peevey, who was 10 years old, in 1953. The song peaked at number 24 on Billboard's chart. Peevey was a child star in Oklahoma, she sang the song on The Ed Sullivan Show, and started a campaign to present her with an actual hippo. She donated the hippo to the Oklahoma City Zoo, where Matilda lived for 50 years. The B side of the album, which is the picture I printed, has the song 'Are My Ears on Straight?' If you look in the upper left, Gayla autographed the cover of the album.
Many have recorded this song since then: The Three Stooges, Captain Kangaroo, Captain and Tennille and Big Bird, who said he wanted a Snuffleupagus. I'm normally pretty serious about the Christmas music I prefer but for some reason, this makes me crack up. I didn't even know if it was a boy or girl who sang it, very distinctive voice. Gayla is still alive, by the way and, yes, that is her on the album cover.
Date: Sunday, December 13, 2020 GMT Views: 257
Favorited:2
Registered: March 8, 2005 Location: Halfway between Dallas and Houston Posts: 23975
Sun, Dec 13, 2020 @ 7:01 PM
I haven't heard that song yet this year! But I'm singing it now! What a great use of the album cover! I love the thinking of the sentiments on the card!
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Registered: November 7, 2006 Location: Willamette Valley Oregon Posts: 34503
Tue, Dec 29, 2020 @ 10:02 PM
what have I been missing all these decades? I've never ever heard this song...should I wait until next Christmas song season...I wouldn't want to spoil the allure! Love the soda bottle cap and the original 45 cover...don't you think all the art work of the day was charming...I do! Fun, bfnm!!!
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