Camarillo Brillo

Song infobox
Name = Camarillo Brillo


Type = Song
Artist = Frank Zappa
Album = Over-Nite Sensation
Released = September 7, 1973
track_no = 1
Recorded = March - June 1973
Genre = Prog Rock,Comedy Rock
Length = 3:59
Writer = Frank Zappa
Label = DiscReet
Producer = Frank Zappa
prev =
prev_no =
next = "I'm the Slime"
next_no = 2

"Camarillo Brillo" is a song by Frank Zappa and was first included on his 1973 LP "Over-Nite Sensation". The song's lyrics make use of many colloquialisms and made-up words. The title itself is a pun; Zappa incorrectly pronounces Camarillo, the name of a city in California, to rhyme with Brillo, a trade name associated with cleaning pads. "Brio" is also a musical term meaning "vigor".

"Camarillo Brillo" is in the key of E major, though the key briefly changes to D major during the chorus. The song employs liberal use of brass instruments and a wide range of percussion techniques. It ends with a short coda played on piano.

In 1975, "Muffin Man" was introduced to Zappa's live repertoire, and "Camarillo Brillo" was subsequently played as a medley with the former. Performances of this variety appear on several Zappa releases, including "", "Halloween", "You Can't Do That on Stage Anymore, Vol. 6", and the concert film "Baby Snakes".