<Tr> <Th> Label </Th> <Td> Columbia (no . 4 - 40106) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Songwriter (s) </Th> <Td> John Rox </Td> </Tr> <P> "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" is a Christmas novelty song written by John Rox (1902--1957) and performed by Gayla Peevey (10 years old at the time) in 1953 . The song peaked at number 24 on Billboard magazine's pop chart in December 1953 . </P> <P> Peevey was a child star (born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), before her family moved to Ponca City, Oklahoma, when she was five . When released nationally by Columbia Records the song shot to the top of the charts, and the city zoo acquired a baby hippo named Matilda . </P>

Who sang i want a hippo for christmas