Hipposong

Album: Famous Last Words (1993)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • There can't be many songs about a conversation with a hippopotamus; the nearest to that is probably the Flanders & Swann classic "The Hippopotamus." One is tempted to feel sorry for the poor hippopotamus, but although the creature may look ungainly, it can move at speed on land. It also kills more people in Africa than any other wild animal. Stewart's though is a friendly hippopotamus, and the tuba on this track does a fair impression of its ungainly waddle. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments: 2

  • Mark from Pittsburgh, PaActually the final line is "I came back as a large hippopotamus", implying that the narrator was reincarnated as a hippopotamus after being so unsympathetic.
  • Ian from York, United KingdomDon't forget, however, the final line of the song: 'I came home as a large hippopotamus'. These to me suggests that the hippos stopped being so friendly when the got fed up of the narrator's uncaring remarks.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Chris Tomlin

Chris TomlinSongwriter Interviews

The king of Christian worship music explains talks about writing songs for troubled times.

John Kay of Steppenwolf

John Kay of SteppenwolfSongwriter Interviews

Steppenwolf frontman John Kay talks about "Magic Carpet Ride," "Born To Be Wild," and what he values more than awards and accolades.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Sugarland

SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Meet the "sassy basket" with the biggest voice in country music.

Song Titles That Inspired Movies

Song Titles That Inspired MoviesSong Writing

Famous songs that lent their titles - and in some cases storylines - to movies.

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," Kiss

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," KissSong Writing

After cutting his teeth on hardcore punk videos, Paul defined the grunge look with his work on "Hunger Strike" and "Man in the Box."