Overview
- U2’s album Carnaval de Luz, released Friday, Nov. 13, closes with “Torn” and marks the band’s first full album of new material in nine years.
- “Torn” is credited to U2, Dolly Parton and Johnny McDaid and is described by the band and Parton’s team as Parton’s last recorded vocal, tracked in Nashville in June 2026.
- Parton heard and approved the final mix before her death on Aug. 25, 2026, and producers say she delivered an emotionally charged performance during the session.
- Multiple versions of the song were released: the album version plus alternate treatments including the Kent Wells country version that premiered to country radio on Nov. 12 and a T Bone Burnett take.
- U2 and the Parton estate are promoting the release with a lyric video and a fan-sourced ongoing video project while the band plans related live activity in 2027 and the estate has indicated future curated releases from Parton’s vault.