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Neil Young – Cortez the Killer (1975) | Track profile | Dork

Tracks
Neil Young
Zuma
Cortez the Killer

TRACK

Cortez the Killer

Release date: 10th November 1975

From Zuma

Spotify More on Neil Young

About This Track

"Cortez the Killer" is a track by Neil Young, from the album Zuma, released 10th November 1975. Full lyrics are available below. Dork has published 1 article about Neil Young.

About the Artist

Neil Young

Neil Young

Lyrics

Cortez the Killer

[Intro: Guitar Solo]

[Verse 1]

He came dancing across the water

With his galleons and guns

Looking for the new world

And that palace in the sun

[Verse 2]

On the shore lay Montezuma

With his coca leaves and pearls

In his halls, he often wandered

With the secrets of the world

[Verse 3]

And his subjects gathered 'round him

Like the leaves around a tree

In their clothes of many colors

For the angry gods to see

[Verse 4]

And the women all were beautiful

And the men stood straight and strong

They offered life in sacrifice

So that others could go on

[Guitar Solo]

[Verse 5]

Hate was just a legend

And war was never known

People worked together

And they lifted many stones

[Verse 6]

And they carried them to the flatlands

But they died along the way

And they built up with their bare hands

What we still can't do today

[Verse 7]

And I know she's living there

And she loves me to this day

I still can't remember when

Or how I lost my way

[Guitar Solo]

[Outro]

He came dancing across the water

Cortez, Cortez

What a killer

Lyrics provided by LRCLIB

View full lyrics page →

Track details

From Zuma

1975

Listen

Album

Release year

1975

—Stupid Girl
—Barstool Blues
—Through My Sails
—Don't Cry No Tears
—Drive Back
—Pardon My Heart
—Danger Bird
—Lookin’ for a Love
—Cortez the Killer
—Lookin' for a Love - 2016 Remaster
3:16
—Barstool Blues - 2016 Remaster
3:01

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Neil Young has cancelled his appearance at Glastonbury 2025, describing the festival as a "corporate turn-off"

Neil Young has cancelled his appearance at Glastonbury 2025, describing the festival as a "corporate turn-off"

Neil Young has withdrawn from Glastonbury 2025, objecting to the BBC partnership.

1 Jan 2025 • 9:46 pm

Featured on 2 playlists

Credits

Production & Engineering

Writer: Neil Young
Producer: David Briggs, Neil Young
Bass: Billy Talbot
Drums: Ralph Molina
Guitar: Frank “Poncho” Sampedro, Neil Young
Vocals: Neil Young

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