First recorded by Procol Harum (1967).
Hit version by Procol Harum & the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (US #16/UK #22/CAN #7/AUS #4 1972).
From the wiki: “‘Conquistador’ was written by Gary Brooker and Keith Reid, of the British psychedelic Rock band Procol Harum, and originally appeared on the band’s 1967 self-titled debut album. Brooker had written a piece of Spanish-flavored music before the band had officially formed, and Reid decided to write lyrics about a conquistador. This studio arrangement was not released as a single. (The US release of the album contained the hit single ‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’.)
“Fast-forward to August 1971: Procol Harum is invited to perform with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. ‘Conquistador’ was added to the set with little time to spare, giving the orchestra no time to rehearse. Nonetheless, they began the concert with the song, and the concert was captured on the album Procol Harum Live In Concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (1972), from which ‘Conquistador’ was the lead promotional single.
“Besides ‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’, ‘Conquistador’ was Procol Harum’s highest-charting single. Bruce Eder of Allmusic praised it as ‘the most accessible song’ on Procol Harum Live In Concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, adding that ‘nothing else [on the album] matches it for sheer, bracing excitement.’ It was also listed on Dave Thompson’s 1000 Songs that Rock Your World.”
Procol Harum, “Conquistador” (1972):