A First Reaction To Neil Young's Music - Cortez The Killer

To SUPPORT the channel and find exclusive reactions like The Beatles Discography,
you can head over to Buy Me A Coffee:
www.buymeacoffee.com/syedrewinds
A huge thanks to this community for joining my musical journey!
This channel has changed my perspective in many ways.
TWITCH ► / syedbhai95
INSTAGRAM ► / syed.hasan95
TWITTER ► / syedhasan95

[@craigplatel813]

Literally dozens of absolutely unbelievably great Young songs to hear.

[@DENVEROUTDOORMAN]

Except most requesters ask for garbage instead of Neil's good stuff...this is fantastic

[@DENVEROUTDOORMAN]

@@gartgreenside3657 nope better than the usual top 40 acoustic garbage that requesters ask for...but need to try Down By The River

[@elmalo551]

More like 100’s

[@danbaird7414]

He cut this live with his band Crazy Horse. You can hear a few clams, and he had the balls to not fix them.

[@coffee-xg6my]

That first 3 minutes of nothing but guitar, drums and bass I'm picturing Cortez and his ships sailing across the rough waves of the Atlantic headed for the Americas to conquer. That's what I kept seeing in my head listening to it.

[@ronbock8291]

A lament, a brilliant lament. To me, the brilliance of the song is how he tangentially connects the history of the conquest to a modern day love affair gone sour in the penultimate stanza. It’s not logical, but it makes total emotional sense to me. This was recorded live off the floor in one take - the first and only take I believe, and that’s Crazy Horse’s Frank Sampedro on rhythm guitar in the left channel, and Neil on the right playing some of the most iconic lead guitar ever recorded. I’ve played this with several bands over the decades, probably over a hundred times, and every time I play and sing it, it makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

[@guinnesstrail6799]

Why bring your tanned genitals into the argument.

[@Chapps1941]

Great stuff. I don't play but if l could Neil would be my guitar God.

[@minnyh]

yeah - he shows his incredible musicality right there. I'm still shocked each time I listen to it after all these years.

[@marklerner8963]

Hey thanks! 👌

[@alexanderwernette9998]

This is one of my five year olds favorite songs for bedtime, got her started early lol

[@supermash1]

And she will learn about the message in the lyrics as she grows up.

[@doriwiljt]

Neil and his beloved ‘Old Black’ his name for his guitar. That’s all Neil playing lead. ♥️ Check out some of his live concert performances. This one would be good to see him in action. He gets in a zone. More Neil please.

[@stpnwlf9]

One of the only musical instruments with it's own Wikipedia entry. Old Black has quite a history.

[@shawnk7832]

Neil Young and Crazy Horse... Find live by them. It's absolutely amazing.

[@j.kevvideoproductions.6463]

I used to get into arguments with a friend who was a graduate of the Juilliard School of music (he could score musicals). He hated Neil. I argued for hours that he just didn't get it and wasn't feeling the pure emotional content. I'll take Neil over Andrew Lloyd Webber any day.

[@dylandenney3980]

@@j.kevvideoproductions.6463 wish you could like comments more than once. Some people really just don't get it. A lot of music feels sterile to me, even some classic rock. Neil's music is 100% of his personality if you look at the whole of his discography. Soft, loud, tender, angry, epic, understated, funny, tired, excited, weird, ultra-focused...

[@dbradx]

Neil and Old Black on lead, but he has Pancho playing second guitar here (his first album after replacing the late, great Danny Whitten, and he was still learning to play believe it or not). Neil describes the Crazy Horse sound as a picture frame - Ralph on the drums is the bottom of the frame, Billy on bass is the top, Pancho is the sides, and Neil just paints on the canvas.

[@AManIsNoOne67]

You will also love "Down By the River" from "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere." I recommend the whole album, all at once 😁

[@DENVEROUTDOORMAN]

Exactly to many Reactors just want his wimpy acoustic which is okay but not his bread and butter and his great stuff isn't played cause Reactors only listen to top 40

[@WMalven]

Yeah, Neil Young is one of the great lyricists in rock. Very poetic and deep. His guitar work is distinctive for it's apparent sloppiness while actually being terrific and intense. His works are a deep, deep rabbit hole.

[@russallert]

Neil Young & Crazy Horse: Neil Young (lead vocals, lead guitar), Frank "Poncho" Sampedro (rhythm guitar, with occasional lead lines thrown in), Billy Talbot (bass) and Ralph Molina (drums). Danny Whitten was Sampedro's predecessor in the band until he sadly OD'd in 1972. Since Sampedro's retirement from music in 2014, Nils Lofgren (a longtime on-and-off associate with the Horse) has taken his place. IMO Neil's best musical collaborations have been with Crazy Horse. They're a jam band, but they're also quite simple musically (in the best possible way). They set up and support Neil's long musical excursions on guitar, and because of their origins as a vocal doo-wop band in the early 60s, they also provide excellent harmony vocals (although they're not heard on this track). This is quite a different song to get introduced to Young's music (most people start with Heart Of Gold, Old Man and his other folkie stuff), but an excellent choice nonetheless.

[@DTH3000]

Cinnamon Girl is a must to react too! Mr. Soul from the Buffalo Springfield days as well.

[@DENVEROUTDOORMAN]

Better from Buffalo Springfield is Special Care and Cinnamon Girl here on youtube... the live version with the Chick's dancing....4 way street album should be played with Southern Man done live needs to be heard

[@joelliebler5690]

Neil Young is and has been one of the greatest musicians of many styles of music over the past 55 years. Here are just a few of his classic tunes; Like a Hurricane,Southern Man, Cinnamon Girl, Harvest Moon, Helpless, and The Needle and The Damage Done!Among another 50!

[@cynthiashepherd7754]

I agree. Southern Man, Cinnamon Girl and I would add Ohio are national treasures. But the other thing about Neil Young is that he is a real person with morals and a commitment to make the world a better place.

[@joelliebler5690]

@@cynthiashepherd7754 Absolutely!

[@Chapps1941]

Another 100 songs at least.

[@heyskipj]

This is a new one for me too. Love the guitar approach. So dirty and melodic for the 70s. He's known as the Godfather of Grunge for good reason. Has played with Pearl Jam onstage (Keep on Rockin' in the Free World). Still, I'll go back to recommending "Southern Man". The lyrics and music hit hard. So unbelievably hard.

[@stardust164]

Neil Young.....I grew up listening to all of his greatness. Peace and Love from Canada

[@muriel2267]

I’ve had the privilege of seeing him live many times and he never disappointed. So many great surprises ahead for you! Neil has another song called Pocahontas which is pretty good. He seems to have a fondness for the native culture and at his shows many times they would start with native singers and dancers

[@DENVEROUTDOORMAN]

No its not bad just so many better ones and at least he s not doing JUST the Wimpy accoustic top 40 crap like 90% of the other reaction video channels cause all they listen to is top 40

[@lfusco101]

He is actually native Indian from canada

[@jimcarlson6157]

​@lfusco101 not an indian

[@paulkingartwerks7981]

I'm a huge Neil Young fan.... he's a great writer and I love his songs. "Powderfinger" should be next! "Ohio" too! This song was recorded "live" on Rust Never Sleeps with all the players of his band Crazy Horse.... Young's usual method.

[@DENVEROUTDOORMAN]

Nope Down By The River with great solos

[@jmmurica2885]

Powderfinger my favorite Neil Young song

[@chris62tt]

I love how you geht the lyrics but still appreciate the raw and beautiful music. Next by Neil Young has to be „Powderfinger“.

[@timconnecticut6263]

I haven't listened to this from beginning to end in at least 20 years. I enjoy his use of distortion.

[@kima.4268]

This song makes me cry every time.

[@leolyon2373]

son is damn near 50 years old. Never loses its brilliance. Thanks Neil....

[@stevebarber8501]

He lets the song breath. Does what is needed. So good.

[@lentonthomas2131]

The intro totally crushes it ❤❤❤

[@alphajava761]

Bob Dylan and Neil Young, two best story tellers in Rock N Roll. Neil is my favorite guitar player. Neil's song Ramada Inn has 3 incredible guitar solos, 3/4ths of the song is guitar. Two other incredible deep cut songs are No More and Eldorado. Your other subscribers will name more popular songs.

[@doriwiljt]

Ramada Inn is amazing.

[@alpetrocelli4465]

Neil Young was one of the great song writers of the era, alongside Dylan, Robert Hunter, Paul Simon, Leonard Cohen. All deserve deep dives if you enjoy great lyricists who entertain, inspire & challenge. ✌️❤️🎶

[@BalbazaktheGreat]

First time hearing this particular track. When I think of Neil Young, the two tracks that come to mind are "Southern Man" - the song which prompted a response in Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" - and "Ohio" which he did as part of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. You could probably add "Rocking in the Free World" to that as well. "Southern Man" has one of the simplest yet most blistering guitar rifts ever heard - you just feel the heat coming off that track. "Ohio" though, which was a rebuke to Nixon after the Kent State Massacre, is unquestionably one of the most iconic protest songs ever written, and would be my pick out of the three. As for "Rocking in the Free World" it's just pure, concentrated Neil Young.

[@joelliebler5690]

You need to listen to Like a Hurricane with Neil’s blustering guitar work.

[@RicoBurghFan]

Your reactions are amazing. I can't believe you got the meaning of the intro, with the serenity and foreboding. Impressive. Your intellect and insight is wonderful. You need to dig into more Neil, who's a very thoughtful, deep artist, one of the greatest of all time. Right up your alley, my brother.

[@daleigou943]

Deep and heavy song. Neil is a genius and he shows it by his wonderful guitar playing! Can't get better than this.

[@ruthjohnson4380]

With his words, he humanizes and fleshed out the Aztec people. People are people.

[@gavinpearcey]

My man's about to fall into the Neil Young rabbit hole. Neil's music is raw and emotional, taken to it's limit. It is music distilled down to it's essence, evoking an emotional response.

[@yorkshirepud3030]

Neil Young's rabbit hole, just wow!!

[@doriwiljt]

Neil’s been a love of mine since 13 years old. Good track to start. ☮️💟

[@jbellinger99]

"danger Bird" is awesome too.

[@tonypalombinijr2946]

I believe he wrote this song while he was in high school.

[@rachelpsmith3129]

So many great Neil songs. To pick just one to listen to next I've gotta recommend Powderfinger. The words are a story and the whole song packs a big time wallop.

[@DENVEROUTDOORMAN]

Nope DOWN BY THE RIVER either from Everyone Knows This is Nowhere or his live version with Crosby Stills Nash and Young from the David Steinberg Show that top 40 wimps never hear

[@OldSchoolPatrick]

Awesome reaction, Syed! This is probably my favorite song / piece of music of all time. I could listen to that guitar work all day. It's so signature Neil Young. Nobody else could put the feel he puts into it. Great lyrics too, though as you pointed out, not historically accurate. He really sanitized the Aztecs. The "sacrifice" they were known for was HUMAN. The book, "The History of the Conquest of Mexico" by William Prescott, is fantastic. The story of the conquest was one of the most incredible stories (on so many levels) you could ever read.

[@danielmalo173]

My last comment was writing to fast. Cortez the Killer must it see, LIVE! All it is so much put so much emphase and soul of Neil Young, Daniel from Québec Salut

[@cmortenson3647]

so different! thank the lord. Neil young rules!

[@keymack2477]

Thank you for the reaction of one of our Canadian legends, the great Neil Young!! More Neil Young please, Syed!

[@MonteMadsen]

Great reaction, as usual! Neil Young is definitely a 'soul mate' artist for me. One track I always go back to, from the album Rust Never Sleeps, is Thrasher. You'll probably really dig that one. Love the channel. You are definitely raising the reactor bar! Thanks for your efforts ✌️ 🎶

[@DENVEROUTDOORMAN]

No not Thrasher it s okay but nowhere s near as good as most say like Down By The River

[@MonteMadsen]

@@DENVEROUTDOORMAN different strokes for different folks my friend! ☺

[@mattshaw6180]

"Thrasher" is also my favorite on that record.

[@dylandenney3980]

Love Thrasher. And I love that they left the mistake in the film

[@robertross8425]

Thrasher is great somewhat like how he wrote Cortez. Near the end of the Thrasher there’s a line explaining “just think of me as one you’ll never figure” That’s Neil Young!

[@Polygonal_Sprite]

Really enjoy how long you listen before stopping and when you do your insights are very good. Subscribed! I’m lucky that I got into Neil Young through Noel Gallagher covering “Hey hey, My my” when I saw them live in Scotland in 2000. I still remember the first time I heard Cortez… just wow. It’s such a simple song on tabs in terms of chords and riffs but man it’s hard to pull off how Neil does it. Dinosaur Jnr do a really good version recorded live in a bar (a drunk hippy woman comes on stage during it haha). All the best!

[@ziggymarlowe5654]

Although the subject is sad, the music is so beautiful. I've listened to this song about a dozen times in the past week or so. Neil Young does not mess around with his sense of right and wrong, he lets everyone know where he stands on social issues.

[@mccornchip]

Neil with Crazy Horse best live band ever!!!! Back on tour 2024.

[@mynameispaul0530]

Cortez live 2011 Rio is an epic performance.

[@tonydelapa1911]

I watched this a week ago and still don’t have the proper words to react to you reaction. It was fabulous and I’m one who thinks the amount of research you do ahead of time (or sometimes during your reaction) is good and, moreover, just right. This is a hell of a strong song to cut your Neil Young teeth on. He really cannot be categorized; he has been impactful and had huge success across several genres. Too many to list. Seeing and hearing him play live is the way to go. He did an outstanding acoustic show on your BBC in 1971. It’s on YT as a complete show and as individual songs.Songs from that might be a good place to start. It’s just him, several guitars, a harmonicas, and a piano which he had just begun to play. Neil is one of my favorite artists and has been over 40-45 years. I do have opinions (positive/upbeat ones) about dozens of his songs but ypu don’t need a list from me. I continue to like what you are doing with your channel very much. Thank you.

[@charlesthrawley7397]

Neil on a stool, with harmonicas soaking and a pump organ in reserve, is heaven on earth.

[@rayr4320]

When two cultures collide, magic and loss are unavoidable.

[@juliafox7904]

One of my favourites thanks for reacting ✨

[@aaroncole3941]

One of my favorite neil performances is like a hurricane, stars and bars.... gives me the feeling of standing on a mountain as a storm rolls in!

[@DENVEROUTDOORMAN]

Better is Down By the River

[@TheGibbler84]

Great reaction Sir. An awesome song.

[@geobol7603]

Love your reaction- one of my favorites- dirty guitar

[@gretchenpike4990]

Literally nothing else like this song. Damnnn I have chills even though I’ve listened to it hundreds (thousands?) of times.

[@beegeelu1244]

The intro was crossing the ocean, the waves and such

[@Axeman517]

I recommend Frozen Man (from 1974 but only released last year), Ride My Llama, and Red Sun. Acoustic songs, but great lyrics.

[@sharondavid-melly1498]

Fabulous 💥Neil

[@kurtjanicki7325]

Young's greatest masterpiece ...

[@dianerobinson5336]

You couldn't have spoken about that intro more perfectly. He laid down such an incredibly beautiful foundation for what was to follow. Neil Young has always been one of the rare few who stayed truly genuine to his music. His music often changed paths and if the fans or record labels didn't like it, well it didn't really matter. For him it was always about the music and what he felt he wanted or needed to say. Have had so much respect for this man for decades. Thank you for reviewing this brilliant song!

[@dickmckenna9447]

Great reaction to a great track. Thank you for your appreciation of greatness 😊. About the long guitar introduction, Neil tends to do that from time to time. And the sound that is grabbing your ear is full out distortion. Another Neil Young trademark. Although he has covered more then a few styles in his 50 plus year career. And he has probably cut over 50 albums. Apparently Neil's favorite is "Everybody Knows this is Nowhere", which is also my favorite 😊. It was released in 1969 and can be considered the first grunge album. Young, being considered the inventor of grunge. All tracks are outstanding. My favorites are Down by the River, Cowgirl in the Sand, Cinnamon Girl, and the title track "Everybody Knows this is Nowhere". I hope you continue down the Neil Young rabbit hole. You will be glad you did. Thanks again. 😊

[@coffee-xg6my]

I remember the first time I listened to this song decades ago and I was mesmerized through the whole thing.

[@50nuccio]

Great song. You should check out the live version by Dave Matthews Band featuring Warren Haynes, who is unbelievable.

[@smolove4005]

It is truly incredible!

[@DENVEROUTDOORMAN]

Absolutely not....wimpy sub par version

[@50nuccio]

@@DENVEROUTDOORMAN Drrrrrrr, okay 👌

[@larsonsrud2518]

You started with my favorite Neil Young and Crazy horse song, good choice 👌

[@julyarchives]

Great explanation. Neil has many more like :will to love" Founton bleau , and "To Nights the Night 😮😮

[@spiritualwarrior4484]

Killer tune...Enjoy life...

[@robertmills8640]

I think this is one of his better early 70's guitar ragas🙂

[@scottlbroco]

Great to witness someone hearing this song for the first time and recognizing its brilliance. I encourage you to experience: Like a Hurricane Powderfinger Thrasher Down by the River I'm the Ocean (with Pearl Jam)

[@StefanPina]

great reaction i hope some more of you soon

[@davidbosworth4751]

the live rust version is great too!

[@arnaldomontes5616]

Neil has had many sounds both electric and acoustic. This is with his band Crazy Horse. My personal favorite line up.

[@thecannaviking]

Buildt to Spill covering Cortez the Killer LIVE is 20min long. His voice is almost mear Neil's voice. They're fkn awsome ,its a indie band with a genius of a frontmann.

[@wpawson]

You can can get lost in Neil Young but his guitar leads you out always.

[@thesoundship]

Watch Neil play his long solos live.

[@sharondavid-melly1498]

Listened to this beauty again and wondered if the woman "who loves me still" is perhaps a past life vision..."and l don't know how l lost my way" sounds so intimate...he must have known her & her people? Exquisite Neil 🎆

[@peterbarbera5485]

I’m gonna make a bold statement and say that no other single artist or band had a greater ‘70s than Neil Young. This includes any of the former Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, The Who, Bruce,…Going by his albums, he bookended the decade with two great albums (After The Gold Rush in 1970, Rust Never Sleeps in 1979), released not one but TWO great albums smack dab in the middle (Tonight’s The Night and Zuma in 1975), and quite a few others in between. Can’t think of a more consistent artist, album-wise, in that greatest of rock album decades, the ‘70s.

[@mamaflush9945]

Wow...now you've struck gold again. Neil Young the godfather of grunge. Neil will take you places with his songs that you'll discover will leave you hankering for more. And another artist that was audacious in his social activism. One of my favorite songs is "Neil Young - Sugar Mountain (Live at Farm Aid 1995)" although, I must confess I have so many it's really hard to choose. I always struggle with which I enjoy more Young's masterful playing of the Acoustic or electric guitar, plays both so beautifully. But boy...what an enjoyable time I have trying to decide as I go through all of his glorious tunes.🔥💖🎶😉🤗

[@Halman82]

I've been watching your videos for the past couple of months and for some reason never thought to subscribe until now. You have a keen eye for detail, and it's great to see you pick up on the intricacies of a song that many other channels miss or gloss over. Keep up the good work bro.

[@shawnk7832]

Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Down by the River Live.

[@aaroncole3941]

Dave Matthews with Warren Haynes covers this song and its magic!

[@dustinboucher8102]

Great reaction. You’re a smart man. Listen to more Neil. And Bob Dylan.

[@meddlehedd1194]

Legend has it Neil wrote the lyrics to Cortez while in class in grade 10, perhaps that explains some of the historical inaccuracies. Tons of great live covers of this song by the way, among my favourites are Scotty Bratcher and Davy Knowles.

[@paulgriffith1021]

Three minute intro! Great, great song!

[@tomspence7045]

Jamming without shredding.

[@billrehberg9271]

He is one of the first peoples of Canada...and speaks from that perspective.

[@chrisp1500]

Great reaction, I'm subscribed. This song was banned in Spain when it was released.

[@OddBall1958]

Neil is one of the top five story tellers of all time. He has written so many songs for himself and various artists that he doesn't even know himself how many songs he has written.

[@rreichar1]

Another interesting song of his is Powderfinger from the American Civil War I believe. I personally really love many of his songs. A true genius. I saw him on 30th birthday.

[@toussaid5340]

This is one of my favorite songs ever. Most similar song to it is on the same album called “danger bird”

[@ThrasherWheat]

Nice video. Definitely of one of Neil's great songs with Crazy Horse.

[@davidlloyd498]

Fantastic track,great artist.

[@jas8815]

The Needle and the Damage Done.

[@davegawel3944]

My fav Neil song,great reaction man!

[@robertmills8640]

1st time seeing anyone reacting to this tune😋

[@larsonsrud2518]

Great reaction! Thanks

[@magnushomestead3824]

I love your reaction, man. I still remember the first time I heard this song and it affected me in a similar way. It still delivers that deep emotion after hearing it for years now. I got a different take to the lines about this lover who still lives there. I was transported through 5 centuries to modern times and the notion that these ancient peoples are even now affecting those who travel to the sites today. Again love your sensibilities - my first time listening to you. I will check out your other reactions. Thanks, stay well!

[@yccmzimmy]

Those subscribed to NeilYoungArchive can enjoy the video of the night in Switzerland when a storm was announced, the organizer of the show told to Neil management to cut it short to let people go... Niel's road manager told him... And Neil goes into Like a Hurricane for about 30 minutes and after that jumps into Rockin' in the Free World for about 39 minutes of consecutive minutes... The rain came and people danced happily under the flood...

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Back in 1970 they really didn’t know much about the Aztecs, it took awhile before they could translate the language. Hippies sort of romanticized the Aztecs into a more utopian place than it turned out to be. I think the best part of this song is how he goes into “and I know she’s living there”. Great choice and reaction.

[@bcafed]

To say the least. Unless cutting the hearts out of children is a utopia.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@bcafed exactly right. Thousands at a time, the bloodiest king ever, probably.

[@rgvelasco123]

@@Hartlor_Tayley Are you talking about Viet Nam?

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@rgvelasco123 might as well be.

[@dmaclel487]

I recommend Powderfinger, one of his favorites

[@anoldmannameddave7455]

Excellent review! 👍✌️

[@chaddubois8164]

There's electric Neil Young and acoustic Neil Young. Both are master's.

[@nowbabyphotography4764]

When he speaks of “She Loves me….”I feel he’s speaking of her as the spirit of the people and their life’s style that was lost. He does mention having lost his way.

[@anoldmannameddave7455]

Try ‘Ambulance Blues’. Acoustic, beautifully done with added ‘haunting’ violin. On electric side, ‘Hurricane’

[@rocketgordo]

He's one of the greatest guitarist of all time, a legend of music.....Full stop!

[@shawneavis4802]

Neil is a legend up here in Canada, and as others have noted, his catalog goes on for decades. For more electric, try 'Powderfinger', 'Down by the river', 'Cinnamon girl'; for some acoustic try 'Pochahontas', 'Harvest moon'. Thanks for the reaction !

[@nickjohnson1445]

He is a legend in America as well. At least thats what I think. I'm from MN so basically Canada. 👍🤘🇨🇦

[@regularsizeruss3874]

@@nickjohnson1445 NY concurs!

[@jbellinger99]

Thank you for reacting to this beautiful song. Young is best known as a folkie, but his electric side is even better. This song is epic. You might want to listen to "Ramada Inn" one of Young's most intensely personal guitar-driven songs. Neil Young was the most consistently brilliant artist of the 1970's, with an unparalleled string of albums from 1969*1979. His "Harvest" album is the one that gets all of the attention, but it is the weakest of the lot. This album/ "Zuma" is excellent. But for me, his best is "Tonight's the Night" - as deliberately raw as a knife wound. Highly recommended "Revolution Blues"

[@davidcopson5800]

Very good reaction. I'm glad you're aware that this is not entirely historically accurate. The Aztecs under Montezuma were kidnappers and murderers who tore out their victims' hearts during sacrificial rituals. As Cortes (correct spelling) ventured further inland the tribes he began fighting with joined him because they hated Montezuma. This recording was originally (or briefly) a lot longer. There was a power failure in the mixing console that meant the final portion was not recorded, hence what you can tell is a premature fade out.