Introduction:
“The King Is Gone (So Are You)” is a song by George Jones, released in 1989. This track is part of his album “One Woman Man,” which was released in the same year. The song falls into the country genre, fitting within the traditional country sound that George Jones was renowned for. Known as “The Possum,” George Jones was celebrated for his rich baritone voice and emotionally expressive delivery, which made him one of the most influential and enduring figures in country music.
“The King Is Gone (So Are You)” is a quintessential country ballad, narrating a tale of heartache and loss. The song’s lyrics depict a man coping with his loneliness and the departure of his lover by reminiscing and toasting to “the King”—Elvis Presley—using a whiskey bottle shaped like Elvis and a Flintstones jelly jar. The song blends humor and sorrow in a manner that Jones was particularly skilled at, portraying the narrator’s sadness with a mix of irony and sincerity. The imagery of raising a toast with Elvis adds a unique twist to the song, making it memorable in its portrayal of heartbreak.
Released as a single, “The King Is Gone (So Are You)” contributed to the ongoing success of George Jones during the later part of his career. Although not one of his biggest hits, it received a warm reception from country music fans and served as a testament to Jones’s ability to capture complex emotions in a straightforward, relatable manner. The song showcases the signature elements of George Jones’s music: vivid storytelling, emotional depth, and a touch of wry humor. Its inclusion on the “One Woman Man” album helped solidify the album’s standing as a strong entry in Jones’s extensive discography, appealing to both longtime fans and new listeners of traditional country music.
Video:
Lyrics:
“The King Is Gone (So Are You)”
That looks like Elvis
I soaked the label off a Flintstone Jelly Bean jar
I cleared us off a place on that
One little table that you left us
And pulled me up a big ole piece of floorI pulled the head off Elvis
Filled Fred up to his pelvis
Yabba Dabba Doo, the King is gone
And so are you
‘Round about ten we all got to talking
‘Bout Graceland, Bedrock and such
The conversation finally turned to women
But they said they didn’t get around too much
Elvis said, “Find ’em young”
And Fred said “Old Fashioned girls are fun”
Yabba Dabba Doo, the King is gone
And so are you
Later on it finally hit me
That you wouldn’t be ‘a comin’ home no more
‘Cause this time I know you won’t forgive me
Like all of them other times before
Then I broke Elvis’s nose
Pouring the last drop from his toes
Yabba Dabba Doo, the King is gone
And so are you
Yabba Dabba Doo, the King is gone
And so are you
Last night I broke the seal on a Jim Beam decanter
That looks like Elvis
I soaked the label off a Flintstone Jelly Bean jar….