"The King Is Dead" is a song written and originally recorded by Australian singer and songwriter Tony Cole.
[2] "The King Is Dead" was the second single released from Tony Cole's debut album If The Music Stops (1972).
[2] The review was: Second cut from his debut LP is a more driving, commercial rhythm ballad loaded with Top 40 potential.
It was re-released in 1977 in France to capitalize off of the success of the French version by Johnny Hallyday (titled "Gabrielle" after the first line of the song), however, this also failed to chart.
7" single 20th Century Records (1972, United States) 7" single Jare International 410 067 EA (1977, France) Several years later the song was adapted into French (under the title "Gabrielle") by Long Chris and Patrick Larue and recorded by Johnny Hallyday.