The song "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" was written by John Rox in 1953. The lyrics and melody are simple, but the message is clear: a young girl named Gayla wants a hippopotamus for Christmas. The song became popular after being performed by nine-year-old Gayla Peevey on the popular television program "The Jimmy Dean Show" in December 1953. Since then, the song has been covered by numerous artists and continues to be a beloved holiday classic. The song is timeless in its message of the innocence and joy of childhood, and its simple, catchy melody makes it