Behind My Camel

Album: Zenyatta Mondatta (1980)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This instrumental from The Police's third album Zenyatta Mondatta was written by their guitarist, Andy Summers, who explained in his Songfacts interview how he came up with it. "I was thinking about something that was sort of edgy. Like a horror movie," he said. "I wanted something with a lot of atmosphere."
  • The title was chosen because of the Middle Eastern sound of the song.
  • This won the Grammy award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance. The Police took the same award the previous year for "Reggatta de Blanc."

Comments: 1

  • Robin from GermanyCorrection: The song title was a reference to the fact that besides Andy nobody was all to pleased with it: Behind my Camel is mostly s--t.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Producer Ron Nevison

Producer Ron NevisonSong Writing

Ron Nevison explains in very clear terms the Quadrophenia concept and how Heart staged their resurgence after being dropped by their record company.

Rosanne Cash

Rosanne CashSongwriter Interviews

Rosanne talks about the journey that inspired her songs on her album The River & the Thread, including a stop at the Tallahatchie Bridge.

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Loreena McKennitt

Loreena McKennittSongwriter Interviews

The Celtic music maker Loreena McKennitt on finding musical inspiration, the "New Age" label, and working on the movie Tinker Bell.

Amy Lee of Evanescence

Amy Lee of EvanescenceSongwriter Interviews

The Evanescence frontwoman on the songs that have shifted meaning and her foray into kids' music.