Neil Young ~ Cortez the Killer (acoustic 1999)

[ebecenti]

This is the version that's on Almost Famous

[jefff4750]

Great song, Awesome photos as well, thanks....!!

[jltrem]

Incredible performance. Have loved this song since I first heard it in '75.

[rpfunder01]

amazing that this is from 1999. the last of the pure era. before the technological stuff. almost prophetic. i just had a colt 45.

[mangakagrunge]

the album version makes me cry but this on makes me weep,i translat the lyrics to my own life,how we can build great things in our lives and in one moment,one word an action can destroy what we have and sometimes will never get it back,and have to live with the results forever.like loseing your wife/husband to devorce.

[MrMnovelli]

how cool would it be to be neil? oh im bored what to do? think ill play cortez!!!!!!!

[Cealgaire]

Thank you Mr. Coleman, absolutely awesome images with this awesome music!

[Rafelpicornell]

Q uantes cançons hi ha al món, quans moments. Acords sempiterns, lligats ja a la meva esència per sempre mai...Ja no té remei.

[cmays637]

This is golden.

[biesTARDtheloco]

Oh my fu***in god. This is so awesome...

[ndi2k]

I would give my life to hear this live..

[somefreshgarbage]

Dancing across our waters...

[somefreshgarbage]

such a song is but an epic of our times...

[knbd]

very good version of a great song, where did the video come from? It is also very cool

[marcusreedus]

Nobody puts on an acoustic performance like Neal. Totally moving piece!!

[smuttierthanu]

who can dislike this ???? crazy for sure !!!!!

[HunterD986]

It is amazing how many of you haven't the slightest idea about history. The Aztecs were a product of their own imperical aspiriations. Cortes had an army of 200 men but also an army of native tributaries of the Aztecs numbering over 40,000. Trust me, if the Aztecs were an innocent cultures with simple isolationist desires, Cortes would not have been able to convince many other tribes of the Valley of Mexico to take up arms with him against them. Great song though.

[brncosdood41]

@HunterD986 He could easily manipulate them. The Aztecs had never seen white people or any of the technology they had.

[weriiin]

@HunterD986 maybe you ar alright men but cortez, pizarro and all the conquistador they killed not a empire but a culture. Before 1492 diferents cultures lived in this continent (maybe with ''war'' ''sacrifice''... ) after 1492 and the conquistadors (1555) they try to killed this culture and forced them to believe in God what the hell man?!. think about that this indians lived in here own world and never a man who have never meet indians could undestand ...

[Albertan1956]

....and they built up with their bare hands what we still can't do today...."!!!

[plouchip]

As sad a song as there ever was. The human experience continues to this day,

[shani6588]

wow had to listen to this for my collage Latin american history class this is very beautiful though not quit accurate and i like the version by Dave Matthews Band f/ Warren Haynes - Cortez the Killer (Neil Young Cover) - Live at Central Park

[boltech46]

Anyone know where this version is available? is it on an album?

[nbk21jt]

I was asked in high school to bring something to share that i thought was beautiful. 1977. This was it.

[furmanroo]

Amazing.



[hanghang71]

always been my favorite neil young song

[smuttierthanu]

who are the 5 people who dislike this.....WTF??????

[smuttierthanu]

this is great!!!!!!!

[Rustman771]

Its hard to point a finger and say "thats Neil's best work," but wow this is something special.

[MyMusicIsLife97]

It doesn't matter what side of history Neil is portraying as good or evil, or who in history you believe got what was coming, or whatever. What matters is history is done and over with. Have your opinions, but don't crowd up the comments of such a beautiful, amazing song with silly little arguments. Please.Just listen to the song, and love it.Want to have a history argument? take the song to a history teacher.

[TheVinyl420]

this is the best neil young song. so fucking awesome.

[DesecrationSmile52]

Just as beautiful as the electric version

[jeremyelliotbard]

@madtmadtmadt interesting thought, never heard that perspective. I'm not a proponent of any particular interpretation, but the fact that he wrote it during a high school history class to me would give credence to the more literal interpretation. Not trying to instigate, just a thought.

[MMDC2001]

This song is great, but it is a blunder in what pertains to history.

[macdaddylorenzo]

@MMDC2001 How's that?

Please let me know, I don't know much about this. Thanks so much.

[MMDC2001]

@macdaddylorenzo,

Monteczuma II was much worse than Cortes. He was a bloodthirstier imperialist.

[macdaddylorenzo]

@MMDC2001 Ok, thanks for the info!

[TheDrunkenHer0]

@MMDC2001 Please, that's what spaniard history tells us.... No one knows the truth. Yes, they were warriors but so are is U.S. army. get over it. killing is killing no matter what the justification.

btw, it was religious beliefs that made the ancient Mexican search for blood, It was food for the gods......

RELIGION DISTORTS THE MIND

[EpiLP]

@TheDrunkenHer0

It may have been religion back then that distorted the mind, but today it's wealth. Today we kill for some pieces of paper that we print ourselves. That seems a lot more vicious to me than killing to appease a God you thought was responsible for your existence.

Wealth distorts the mind.

[TheDrunkenHer0]

@EpiLP

Epic P

[rashneesh]

@EpiLP wealth distorts the mind............and religion tortures mine.

[madtmadtmadt]

@EpiLP Only a wealthy, first-world brat would say something so disconnected, inhumane and untrue.

[KillBaddBugz]

So well done! And the art! Excellent vid ans crisp audio here. Thanks for this!

[TheDrunkenHer0]

Gotta admit..... The ancient Mexicans created some truly marvelous structures and works of art........

[madtmadtmadt]

To all of you people arguing, the song isn't literally about Cortez. Listen to the lyrics. The whole point is that he's whitewashing the past, weaving a romantic narrative after the fact. The most important line is "and I know she's living there, and she loves me to this day". The singer is taking refuge in a beautiful delusion, not delivering a history lesson.

Haven't you ever been heartbroken?

[pqletz]

SUPERBEAUTIFUL, grazie Neil !

[TheDrunkenHer0]

Brilliant

[DickDavidson]

Substitute Cortez for Bush and Bliar....it's still going on

[violetjm]

Close your eyes and just listen.

[TheBigLeeg]

Guarentee everyone of u bleeding heart, pussified spaniard haterz would condemn anyone ripping human hearts and slave owning today! effen Hypocrits!

[ChopBoy09]

Amazing. This is fantastic.

[obiwannut]

4 chords & a harmonica - and the man blows away a full ensemble orchestra with choir, ANY DAY OF THE WEEK...

[dzerry]

@obiwannut three chords actually - e, D, a

[MsRamones16]

@dzerry Well actually Em7 D Am7 mate

[walkingbear56]

@MsRamones16 and a dropped D

[caifanporvida]

In the verge of impunity everything was valid. The church at that time was as guilty as the spaniards of that time. In the aztec world the knowledge of the priests were more advanced that of those in Europe. Books and all possible account explained by the Aztec priests were destroyed because it was considered evil. "We do not know were the stars of the milky way are taking us. But we are happy of been part of the universe" Mexica thought.

[ryinf]

Good song

[onyachamp]

whats the fella doing with the rope at 3.33?

[willwhat111]

@onyachamp that's a damn good question!

[pqletz]

Bellissima!

[niniquexroyer]

this whole song sends SHIVERS down my spine... makes me skin cold and clammy, gives me goosebumps. neil young, you're just truly amazing!

[1980vince]

cortes and his spaniard thugs have been getting tortured in xibalba till this day

[TheBigLeeg]

@1980vince so is every Aztec who brutalized his neighbor & demand life as a tribute to false gods! they got what was coming as it was profisized in their own religion. 250,000 whooped by 200 Spaniard MEN!turn about is fair play lol

[unusualimports123]

@1980vince

Hey, gawddamms right this is the proper version! And so thanks also for your educational comment.

[unusualimports123]

Respond to this video...  BTheWaye, i am Bittersweet6x.

[dtlokerson]

@1980vince Like...their ghosts you mean?

[SaypheZonE]

The Aztecs were often portrayed as violent bloodthirsty individuals because of ignorance. Europeans did not understand what sacrifice really was. Imagine the world with a unique abstract and rich culture such as that of the Aztecs. Europe really fucked shit up for everybody.

[domeslacker]

@SaypheZonE the church fucked shit up for everyone as many of these "explorers" were often funded by the church

[ncudaic4211]

@domeslacker The catholic church's missionaries to the Americas were more often than not Jesuits, one of their foremost priests. I can assure you that Jesuits, the society of Jesus, would not do anything so terrible as the Spanish. Any other catholic missionaries, when following the faith, would not perpetrate any evil either. Evil has been done in the name of catholicism, but the Church very, very rarely has been the aggressor. Plus, the explorers were funded by European imperialists.

[domeslacker]

@ncudaic4211 The Church often funded these voyages. Their interest was to establish religious claim in the new world. To think the Church never oppressed people is to not understand the history of the Church. They are a business, and like all major religions can only survive as long as they have the numbers backing them. Research and see what they would do when you couldnt pay your taxes to the church back in the day. Bishops would dress in lavish clothing and feast while the populous starved.

[aguscanzani]

@ncudaic4211 Ur right, I'm from Argentina and the Jesuits legacy all over South and Central America has been regardes as educational and spiritual rather than violent and greedy. Still, they imposed their beliefs in a society that could hardly understand who they were and what was going on. They just took advantage, and that's not moral nor ethical. I just wish the Jesuits had had more power and stopped the mischievous activities of Europeans all over the continent

[aguscanzani]

@ncudaic4211 Ur right, I'm from Argentina and the Jesuits legacy all over South and Central America has been regarded as educational and spiritual rather than violent and greedy. Still, they imposed their beliefs in a society that could hardly understand who they were and what was going on. They just took advantage, and that's not moral nor ethical. I just wish the Jesuits had had more power and stopped the mischievous activities of Europeans all over the continent

[ncudaic4211]

@domeslacker The explorers who did the evil to the Mayas, the Incas, and the Aztec were not missionaries. They may have come from countries where the official religion was Catholicism, but i can assure you that they were not interested in spreading the faith. They were only interested in taking gold and glory from the natives.

[debfass54]

The Best Of Neil Young

[drumbabyledzep1]

What a song! Always loved Neil Young but Cortez is fantastic. Was recently in

Mexico and learned the history of the country. Neil Young gets the whole thing!

The most beautiful and honest song I have ever heard!

[ocealdia]

I am white and blonde, but can feel this in the very pores of my being.

[damiensongs]

omg this is so unbelievably great i have to comment on it twice

[damiensongs]

Thanks for uplaoding this..This was my favorite Neil tour...with the 8 guitars lined up beside him and Sierra Nevada pale ale....great memories....wish there were more video from this tour

[soyrockstar100]

@damiensongs i agree!!!, I was their in oakdale CT april1999, my absolute favorite Neil tour..Love Solo Neil better than with bands, though love crazy horse of course

[MrAngelmae]

2 PPL MISSED THE LIKE BUTTEN

[shawndaven]

the hugo narative used by young and dylan distracts from the message, when their is an evil message.it is ok we get it.

[TheChronic216]

quite possibly the most beautiful song of all time.

[ralieghTsakers]

Truly wonderful upload. I want to believe this was the version used in almost famous.

[99cacahuate]

for real prehispanic music type " antonio zepeda "

[boulterontarioman48]

One of the best versions of this song I have ever heard from the great one we call neil from a little country town named omemee, ontario canada. Thinks for the memories neil, and thank you for supporting all of the farmers with your Farm-Aid organization all of these years. God bless, and peace and love. Boulterontarioman48 

[lucifersam9]

Only Neil Young can sing a narrative about some random loosely-documented historical event about European savagery and destruction and make it fucking rock!

[micksmith187]

a gr8 example of how music can touch your soul regardless of what side you perceive yourself to b on!!!!

[boby1234578]

haunting

[MSStubnitz]

Kulturen werden ausgelöscht..denn der Mensch ist schlecht und ist bereit seine eigene Art auszulöschen! Schöner Song und mein Lieblingssong von Neil Young!

[tehcexymeowmix]

@1980vince

You gonna cry about it? Maybe you should have invented guns.

[JimmyPage97]

@1980vince Nah I don't get it. Why don't you explain too me, and maybe all us white men.

[ih8urVideo]

@1980vince Yeah, you're right. We dont really like being conquered. Whats that like?

[apc467]

man this song is more killer than cortez

[kapila013]

@apc467 true buddy. badass tune.

[harmusic]

great!

[leatherfaze03]

No flamers on a Neil Young song!

[robinrayholmes]

As much as I love the original, I think I may like this one better.

[JJack887]

Absolutely beautiful. This song should be in a museum encased in glass.

[Jeddystardog]

@JJack887 you're spanish right? Ya wanna see people /creatures/cultures jarrred up in yr museum speciman jars - fuck off

[JJack887]

@Jeddystardog What are you talking about? I'm Polish American and you're obviously either a troll or someone who missed the point of my comment entirely. Now go read a book or go outside a lil' and make some friends.

[Jeddystardog]

@JJack887 fair enough man..sorry

[JJack887]

@Jeddystardog It's no problem. Just try not to be so volatile.

[ocealdia]

@JJack887 Oh Jack you are so right. I actually saw these treasures at the Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City. He just got the Aztecs. It's a feeling, I can't explain it.

[vickijojung]

@JJack887

Said well my friend.

[niniquexroyer]

@JJack887 i couldn't agree more, my friend... saw him last wk, and he played this song live in toronto's BEST venue: massey hall... they filmed the concert for a new dvd project, let's hope this one makes the cut :)

[slashever11]

amazing 

[dexydonovanroger]

palenque astronaught......

[WolfsEvilJohn]

Awesome! Thank you.

[santiagosale]

ME gusta un chingo esta rola!!!!

[SaypheZonE]

beautiful song for a beautiful culture. 

[ndi2k]

I have searched for this version so long. Seemed like it was not possible to find it. Thank you really, really much!

[catshole13]

!!! THANKS !!!

[apocolyptically]

Mr. Soul sings a sad soulful song.

[ralieghTsakers]

this is the one they used in the movie almost famous :)

[phddddd]

@ralieghTsakers They used a song AFTER the events in "Almost Famous" were alleged to take place? I remember hearing Cowgirl in the Sand and maybe Cinamon Girl, but I don't remember Cortez the Killer. Where was it at? I remember a Neil Young song in the background after the "I am a golden god" pool party. Where else?

[ralieghTsakers]

@phddddd after the airplane scene when they are walking down the hall.

[phddddd]

@ralieghTsakers Thanks for that raleigh. I'll watch and listen more carefully next time I watch Almost Famous. Am I right that this song would fall out of the context of the other songs featured in the film in that it was written after the events in the movie. For example, Graham Parsons wasstill alive so we know it was prior to Sept 1973. Zuma was 1975!

[Chevyheartbeat1987]

I just cant seem to make it through a Neil tune without tears welling up..not sure why..he can just make it happen

[irlsandbag]

does anyone else have problems with the video stopping @ 5min 44 sec?

[Bookmarks241]

ahhhhh just makes me feel happy

[TheTater1984]

i named my son after mr. young the mask and carvings are amazing

[GordonMorrice]

The performance from Oakland the same year is also amazing.

[domihaz]

I'd say A,... very good version to keep for ever humankind will live to remember how Natives of America, Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, every where Natives lived, how Europeans killed them ...

[darkstardarkside13]

its em,d the am

[walkingbear56]

@darkstardarkside13 drop D string for the Bass string  Em7, D and Am7

[curiousgeorge555]

great version

[oldarizona]

I love it!

Thanks for sharing

[bkev93]

Do you have this available for download? All the other acoustic versions I can find are in much lower quality...

[mattvad254]

anyone know what key his harmonica is in ? Could it be C it's not G

[walkingbear56]

@mattvad254 could be A?

[Doumanumero1]

C or F.

I would guess F.

[majinxgogeta]

sure F

[domihaz]

@majinxgogeta the guitar is mainly in A, I guess you're right for the F on Harmonica

[poppanolan]

Thank you so much for posting this. What a beautiful version!

[GordonMorrice]

You can really see the Armada full of Conquistadors when you listen to Neil play this song acoustic with harmonica. He did it a few times on the 1999 solo tour (6-string and 12-string) and there's a very good one from 2003 too.

[jdlocotxftw2002]

@GordonMorrice . . I can see that very same image . . scenes I see . . . two aztec indians on the mountains over looking the shore and watching Cortez unloading ships . . .you see one indian running back . . .and then see him running . . .across various lands . . . Ever see Royal Hunt of the Sun . . you could take some of those movie scenes and they would reflect the feelings of this song . . .

[GordonMorrice]

@jdlocotxftw2002 Yeah, I have seen Royal Hunt of the Sun. Christopher Plummer gets his arse out in that one!

[troubadour1943]

perfect, have been looking for this version for a long time, its worth everything.