Built To Spill - Cortez The Killer (live)

Built to Spill were one of the most popular indie rock acts of the '90s, finding the middle ground between post-modern, Pavement-style pop and the loose, spacious jamming of Neil Young. From the outset, the band was a vehicle for singer/songwriter/guitarist Doug Martsch, who revived the concept of the indie guitar hero just as Dinosaur Jr.'s J Mascis -- another important influence -- many years earlier.
I was lucky to see this band play many years ago supporting The Foo Fighters on their first UK tour. Doug Martsch was a helluva guitar play and this song just captures this perfectly. One of my favourite cover versions ever! Taken from their own Live album, This guy does it justice!
Label: City Slang, 7243 8492852 0
Format: CD
Country: UK
Released: 2000
Genre: Rock
Style: Indie Rock
I do not own these recordings. I'm simply sharing them as they deserve to be heard by a much wider audience.

[@themanfromanotherplace8502]

Damn Cortez the Killer is probably one of the best songs ever written

[@lealdoandrade]

Yes

[@Eimhin1]

Hell yea!!!!!!

[@bluepicasso9675]

Neil Young's gift to us all, one of many.

[@donfiolle3726]

Most definitely

[@claytonbrown7120]

I mean yeah it’s awesome but this is the best cover of any song in any time in the history of all time and that’s infinity either direction

[@chrisd4theebro]

I first heard this song when I was moving from Denver to Phoenix and I was winding through the Utah mountain range close to sunset, and I was actually unclear if I had just passed over into the netherworld or I was still just a guy in my car.

[@McWhatevs]

Remember my first time too. Had just finished a shift a bit after midnight at a naval warfare simulator. Driving home and heard this on a local radio station in my car (FBi) radio. Had to check their website the next day and trawl through the playlists from the AM shift to figure out who it was. Bought the CD shortly thereafter

[@archivalme]

I turn 35 on Friday. I have no clue how it's taken me this long to discover Built to Spill, but here I am & I am never leaving.

[@wbfojnewton1]

I'll turn 61 this year....this is my first time hearing BTS...covering a song which gets deep into my soul like Jimi Hendrix's Machine Gun.....when will we stop destroying each other.....

[@knarfggor]

Hey check out ................The Church music group and their Box of Birds album version of this awesome song!!!!!!

[@knarfggor]

Another goodie is Los Cenzontles-Cortez The Killer

[@VanessaScrillions]

They're so so so good

[@Obeast117]

@@wbfojnewton1 glad you could find this wonderful cover of an amazing song

[@midwestshiner7896]

I can never seem to get this version of this song loud enough for my liking✌️💚💡

[@broisnotstraight]

just turn it up

[@anotherhuman5911]

11 baby. 11 🤘❤

[@zs3473]

this song is takes me to a place that doesn't exist

[@dustyharrison4667]

Reppin 2024 up in here

[@michaelpeddycord4485]

Doug Martsch is the best guitarist I've ever seen play live.

[@matteofumanti3557]

Michael Peddycord me too

[@2112iscoming]

Wish I could see him live, was going to this year but the Rona got in the way. They're set to play again near me, just hope it doesn't get cancelled again.

[@hologravy]

i met Corey Matthews at my 3rd built to spill show and got my ticket stub signed by DUG!

[@hvndfvst]

@@hologravy get him to draw something for you next time

[@hologravy]

@@hvndfvst 'fvst i might! 😄

[@Firmth]

This is performed so lovingly

[@brianallen7445]

Best cover maybe ever

[@leocarrascoteppa]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJy2ZHeKhZyGm6c

[@jonniringodingo]

Yup!!! And I adore Neil Young. But this is truly epic.

[@laststoptohell5183]

for sure!

[@Jay369]

This is my favourite version with the Dave Matthews Band coming in at a close second. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5qyYmagidh1mrM

[@rhettpeter83]

What about tools cover of led zeppelin’s no quarter?

[@claytonbrown7120]

Does anyone listen to this every month at least for 20 years?

[@claytonbrown7120]

Yea, I do, I really truly do, hunj percent kid, hundjee

[@matthewlaurenzi6454]

This is maybe my favorite 20 minutes of music ever!

[@MsMiika13]

Indeed but also check out CAN You Doo Right...kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZykZYxpeMisgdk

[@whipwillis7958]

This is the best version I have heard of this outstanding song.

[@florianmeersman3467]

Whip Willis check out the slint version of cortez the killer

[@markcooke8582]

Whip Willis check out Neil's newest version at farm aid this last year. The old man is better than ever

[@superdrummerdave1]

Whip Willis I agree.....BTS is the greatest band,my cousin bought me perfect from now on for Christmas in 98-99 and I've been a huge fan ever since

[@TheJosborn7]

Haven’t listened to this in over a year. I am so fucking happy, I’m a puddle

[@leocarrascoteppa]

check this song please

[@simonparker7208]

just when you think it couldn’t possibly get more incredible, it does...

[@walterpellegrini485]

Ésta versión de Cortez es simplemente un magnífico alucine. Es fantástica, envolvente, densa. Perfecta. Lo que hubiera dado por estar ahí y escucharlos en vivo.

[@terryoneil7128]

J Mascis does an equally sick cover of this from a show in Alaska!!!

[@secretlifeofa1926]

Oh snap

[@AD-fx2qd]

My Favourite Neil song and a truly monumental cover. Crushing. Guitars forever.

[@Stoned2072]

MASTERPIECE !!!

[@2112iscoming]

How you can take an amazing Neil Young song and make it so much BETTER, blows my mind!

[@matthewryan4344]

Doug Martsch was rated in the 100 top guitarists of all time!!!!! No wonder.

[@hayleyb467]

Love

[@2112iscoming]

He is really among the best, if not in terms of talent, in terms of creativity

[@matthewryan4344]

@@2112iscoming agreed, thank you!!!!

[@underratedarts]

@@2112iscoming I agree with you

[@harryt92]

His guitar lines certainly make you feel a way not many other guitarists can. To me, that is more important than a big shiny super skilful guitar solo.

[@bradleythompson9459]

This is the best cover I've ever heard...

[@bradleythompson9459]

And that includes Suplecs " Working Man,

[@themountainsandthesea4121]

Yes.

[@michaelwestcott5726]

Neil would be proud.

[@Jay369]

He came dancing across the water With his stallions and guns. Looking for the new world And that palace in the sun. On the shore lay Montezuma With his coca leaves and pearls. In his halls he often wondered The secrets of the world. And his subjects Gathered around him, Like the leaves around a tree. In their clothes of many colors For the angry gods to see. And the women all were beautiful, And the men stood Straight and strong. They offered life in sacrifice So that others could go on. Hate was just a legend And war was never known. People worked together And they lifted many stones. 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. 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. He came dancing across the water. Cortez, Cortez, What a killer.

[@robing7481]

Neil's lyrics are Galleons and Guns but Doug is awesome enough to change the lyrics to what works best for him

[@UncleBillyBob732]

@@robing7481 They brought horses with them so it makes sense.

[@MrDeipnosophist]

galleons

[@themountainsandthesea4121]

@@robing7481 bingo! I am from Eastern Oregon and it is similar to Boise in regards to stallions and guns (cowboys--not all are bad ,but I digress.)

[@MacAJ1874]

Its Galleons.

[@lanceorr1263]

My favorite version. By far.

[@themountainsandthesea4121]

So beautiful.

[@hunterf3955]

this song takes me to another dimension

[@jockojonsson2109]

While I respect all of the incredible covers of CTK as they say imitation is the greatest form of flattery (and some versions may even be technically better from a guitar playing perspective (I.e., Satriani, Haynes/GM etc.)), however, the fact that Neil created the melody, song lyrics, and overall ethereal soul of the music nearly 50 years ago is the reason why his version will always go down as the greatest. Neil was able to catch lightning in a bottle and there will never be another one like this. We should just all be blessed to have the privilege to hear the greatest song in classic rock and roll history by such accomplished musicians!

[@L1ama]

yeah making a good cover is kind of like reciting a joke you've heard, still takes skill to do it well but is nothing compared to coming up with the original

[@patricklogan7238]

@@L1ama Hmmm...nice try, but no; a 10 minute rendition of a song is VERY different than a person telling a joke you already heard!

[@robertguzman3190]

Man that was a great cover. I closed my eyes and remembered back when i was young.

[@themountainsandthesea4121]

Music brings me memories, too.

[@GavinGlass]

I remember when this was longer.

[@ImNotNeoEither]

Met Doug in St. Louis at the Pageant. They are as good or better live. Also, Doug is very approachable and down to earth. Great guy, great band, great ear to the universes drum beats.

[@stormypinkness4030]

They absolutely kill this, I think their version of this is my second favorite song of all time. It's so easy to feel this.

[@dhoerst]

What's your first?

[@Eimhin1]

@@dhoerst yes, do tell.

[@mattpursell9151]

I like DMB with Warren Haynes in Central Park. Check that one out. This one is fantastic as well

[@stormypinkness4030]

@@dhoerst Hey by the Pixies. It's been a couple of decades and it still makes me feel the same way.

[@apedreus]

@@dhoerst In Memory of Elizabeth Reed (live version, Fillmore East)

[@chdbvnt]

just amazing, thank you built to spill and neil young. Thank you!

[@mmateri]

Cortez the killer by built to spill, best ever cover

[@Oaphalt]

This is amazing. I want to put it in my pocket and listen to it when ever I push a button. It would be so cool if someone made something like that....

[@joeydanielski962]

Lol.

[@whatdothlife4660]

It would end up being the size of a mini-van ;)

[@joelowry1323]

it makes me kind of. sad that we will never live to see such technology :(

[@robing7481]

Imagine if Neil's original didn't fade out at 7:30 ? I always imagined it continued like this...

[@stanstanley]

Live he does expand it.

[@seeds9933]

I love Built to spill from beginning, yeah music is live and this is music an live are skateboarding forever 🛹☮️🫂🎶

[@kylewilson2662]

Super underrated. This whole album is amazing, thanks for sharing!

[@pure6945]

+Kyle Wilson not sure its underated, allot of neil young fans including myself considering this to be his greatest record....

[@kylewilson2662]

I'm talking about Built to Spill, not Neil Young.

[@pure6945]

Kyle Wilson oh, yeah, for sure...great band!

[@superdrummerdave1]

Exactly.....also I would say that BTS have never put out anything bad,geeez perfect from now on is a masterpiece,Doug turns anything to gold,halo-benders,tree people....his solo album was phenomenal

[@robcouch3336]

Crushed it!

[@lynnsinger4363]

I screamed out "Cortez" during a break, I dint get it, but I was there man!

[@themountainsandthesea4121]

yes! never hurts to try.

[@karinannamaria2514]

great cover

[@TheReynoldS]

this song is so beautiful it makes me cry, but it's a good feeling 😁

[@themountainsandthesea4121]

Yes.

[@drewa1999]

Doug and the guys are clearly(and fuzz-ily!) built to Neil!!

[@themountainsandthesea4121]

haha good one. yes, yes they are.

[@suffixb]

'Stallions and guns'? That took me by surprise!

[@dedge8425]

I got stuck on that for a bit, too.

[@willmurrin9344]

Perhaps the greatest cover of the greatest song ever?

[@joshuacrowe76]

Papa Neil is definitely made proud here

[@vinoveritas4921]

Amazing cover !!!

[@PageandPlant4Life]

11 minute mark sounds like a wicked melodic fight between two cats

[@hayleyb467]

Lol yes. Or malfunctioning electric toothbrushes of love

[@perrysconzert3650]

KILLER version of a classic !!!

[@CrackerAndTheDoctor]

Goosebumps

[@fridayjuly24smmv17]

phenomenal, and definitive

[@chandaraphou4315]

And they even take the time "to sound" the vortex of the aftermath... TY for the upload.

[@jamesmccaig4999]

The maelstrom at the end with the guitars is incredible ❤️

[@notanotherjamesmurphy5574]

I like that guitar tones

[@themanfromanotherplace8502]

And this cover is fucking insane

[@bccutleryco.9927]

Neil Young is almost an understatement, almost. great song love it.

[@pablobaez2974]

Simplemente GRACIAS

[@truman1972]

Play this every show!!

[@morganchance13]

Album cover was taken in the town I live in. Just saw them play in the same spot last night.

[@migueldmena]

Demasiado, demasiada hermosa esta versión.

[@tonybolstad9514]

For years I thought this was Neil and was frustrated I couldnt find this epic extended version anywhere. Through the power of YT I finally stumbled into rhe truth and realised it was not Neil at all! As much as I love Neil this version of ctk will probably be playing me out .. 🤘🎸☮️⚰️

[@jerrychetty2524]

Wow that's just great, now I want to hear "like a hurricane" extended version ❤

[@borispeter1662]

did Neil Young ever give a comment on this? I love NY and the original version, but this here is outstanding and tops the master ....

[@davidnavarro1217]

This and The Church versions are really good!

[@chocolatebomb51]

Dare I say, better than the orginal.

[@leocarrascoteppa]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJy2ZHeKhZyGm6c

[@deathshead357]

Are you serious?

[@HarryDetective]

Great cover but no.

[@rhettpeter83]

It’s very good, the way young sings the original is more evocative to me, and perhaps I also take into account all young has lived through and his ideology through that period, his influence etc, it’s quite an overwhelmingly emotional experience for me. This plays as a great tribute, and amazing to hear them just get lost in it and jam out the outro to the song. Goes some way to ease the Neil young Spotify exile blues!

[@themountainsandthesea4121]

you dare.

[@sheffieldlane5769]

Amazing

[@Legocollecter555]

bliss man.........

[@ThePrivateirony]

incredible version!

[@RCas-wt7cj]

Best ever background music for hitting the bong.

[@percettecarl]

That was fantastic 😎

[@pascalglasgow3237]

Amazing greatest wat a cover 😁😁😁👍

[@jevistic5914]

such a great song, and version, I even love the one wrong note riff! x

[@chandaraphou4315]

Cortez is a nice song... Here COMES DOUG!!!!

[@jimmuo9286]

Okay already! You guys rock! Amazing group of true artists. Cheers...

[@johannpantin7374]

Great cover well done. Love the Church version took me in a journey

[@kelvinlopez3126]

I saw this guys in Napa!! Excelente show😎

[@doughowell3171]

I love the drummer!

[@msdzappa4701]

Outstanding Sir! Truly built to "SPILL"

[@wec-m4d]

Next to Neil , most honest version

[@MarcoBeatles]

Excellent ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@KarlReinhardKrierer]

💖

[@williamgilles2449]

Vraiment génial ! 👍

[@ninovasev]

what a...sound of guitar is amazing..vocals are adding the feel...Usa , you are the great country of music

[@MLHMODZ]

Check out Mike McCready in Mad Season and Temple of The Dog. Crazy guitar solos

[@ninovasev]

@@MLHMODZ just checked..amazing

[@squeakeththewheel]

That's true. But remember Neil Young (who wrote this song) is Canadian! And remember that what makes US music great is that it takes great music from many other countries and mixes them together in new ways.

[@ninovasev]

@@squeakeththewheel You are right...agree

[@themountainsandthesea4121]

thanks for complimenting the u.s in such a beautiful manner. where are you from?

[@pickanosiss3043]

Best damn song dammit

[@arturojosegarcia]

Wow!

[@jl1865]

wow I thought this was Neil at first!

[@JakobVirgil]

This song is a rocker at double speed

[@struckdown5533]

its a rocker at normal speed

[@Yeldineyintun]

I’m gonna try that!

[@ataridc]

haha if you do it after the lyrics stop it's pretty wild

[@peterhburge]

Agreed, thank you for the suggestion.

[@themountainsandthesea4121]

@@struckdown5533 for sure.

[@technics27]

Slint had a nice cover online back in the Napster days..!Broken chairs is also a great 20min track from this album

[@OahuHolisticMedicine]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bImXkp-hobdop5I This one?

[@JM-tp3ov]

this was the far cry 3 best ending, accept the life and sacrifice

[@joanneberry7521]

I'm sort of in heaven ❤🎸🎸🤘🤘🎸🎸❤🤘

[@abba1324]

Neil did it first but Built did it better

[@Didtoyota]

J’adore cette version, dommage que l’on est pas l’image ❤

[@LetThePoorStarve]

As a history major, I have to say this song is very inaccurate, but awesome!

[@punkdudex69]

LetThePoorStarve history was written inaccurately, as a major you should always take any humanly documented "history" with a GOD damned grain of salt.

[@bradleythompson9459]

LetThePoorStarve just shut up and listen

[@JakobVirgil]

It is not about history it is using a historical metaphor to talk about a failed relationship.

[@Jay369]

What are the inaccuracies? (Other than the dancing on water). I like this song but am not willing to Google this so would appreciate your thoughts

[@jeffseverson3191]

@@Jay369 "On the shore lay Montezuma, with his coca leaves and pearls..." Montezuma was king of the Aztecs in what is now Mexico; coca is from the Incans in South America. No big deal; it's one of my favorite Neil tunes. :)

[@mini_mozzer]

The Church's cover was as impressive as this one, but The Church's entire discography is filled with songs like this. im amazed people think this is the greatest song to ever exist, like youre just scratching the surface you guys lol.

[@corymoss8535]

wow

[@MrDeipnosophist]

Wow...just fucking WOW...

[@alexanderworndl3144]

Die Jungs kommen schon sehr nah an Neil Young ran!!!! WWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

[@monteyburns21]

Goddamn... That guitarist though...

[@Tahlklainman]

yep

[@robbiek555]

built to spill the cup of Hermes, yes, also offering you the opportunity to find balance in the cup, time to rise children...

[@MLHMODZ]

Guitar reminds me of something Mike McCready would play

[@michaelpatrick4384]

No one does Cortez the Killer Better than Built To Spill, even the man himself, Neil Young should be jealous. Though the first 10 times i heard it on XM Radio, I was convinced Neil was the guest singer and guitarist. Is that that dumb?

[@jonjp3141]

check out warren haynes and dave matthews cover also grace potter an joe sattrini both damn good also.

[@hawkrolla]

Not in the least

[@tobythewuss]

I downloaded this version yearsss ago and I thought built to spill was the name of the concert or festival or something, for months. Thought it was Neil and his best version of this song

[@snicker576]

Love Built to Spill, but Doug's aping of Neil Young's guitar style gets annoying sometimes. It's like dude, please have some originality for gods sake

[@billjetfan]

@@snicker576 Yep, most of this is beautiful. But about 1/4 is just ANNOYING!

[@sallywatkins9715]

Great googly moogly