Overview
- The duet 'Torn', recorded in June 2026, will close U2’s new album Carnaval De Luz and Universal Music describes Parton’s vocal on the track as her last recorded performance.
- Dolly Parton died on August 25, 2026, and collaborators say the June session took place shortly before her death with Parton delivering a heartfelt take while unwell.
- U2 and Johnny McDaid share songwriting credits on 'Torn', which Universal calls a moving country ballad about broken family relationships.
- Bono told Rolling Stone that Parton stood up from bed to sing the song and that he now cannot bring himself to listen to the recording; a producer has separately been quoted saying Parton heard and 'loved' the finished mix.
- Carnaval De Luz, U2’s 16th studio album and the band’s first new-material LP in nine years, is due November 13 and the Parton duet adds a poignant, cross-genre moment to the group’s 50th-anniversary year.