Dolly Parton’s Final Recorded Vocals Join U2 on “Torn”

WHO:

Pitchfork - U2 recorded “Torn,” featuring Dolly Parton’s vocals.

Billboard - “Torn” was co-written by U2, Parton, and Snow Patrol’s Johnny McDaid.

Variety - Bono sings with Parton on “Torn.”

Yahoo - U2 consists of Larry Mullen Jr., The Edge, Bono, and Adam Clayton; the article identifies the duet as Parton and Bono’s.

Yahoo - Jacknife Lee produced “Torn,” and Daniel Lanois played pedal steel on it.

Yahoo - Parton’s representatives confirmed she died after a “brief battle with cancer.”

WHAT:

Pitchfork - “Torn” is the closing track on U2’s album *Carnaval de Luz*.

Billboard - “Torn” is described as Parton’s last recorded vocal performance; Billboard’s headline says she sings her “heart out.”

Variety - The release of “Torn” features what the article calls Parton’s last recorded vocals. Parton sings, “Nothing hurts…”; the article excerpt does not provide the rest of the lyric.

Yahoo - The song is a tender country duet about broken family ties, with lyrics including, “I love ’em both and I just feel so torn” and “We share a house divided.”

Yahoo - Parton’s team shared her message to Bono: “Hey Bono, Hope you like what I did. I did quite a few things. Take from it what you want and what you need, but I love the song, and I think it could be something really special.”

Yahoo - Parton added, “Thanks for including me in your life. I've always loved you and always will.”

Yahoo - Bono told *Rolling Stone* he struggles to listen to the song after Parton’s death: “When she got ill, she got out of her bed to sing this song. And you can hear that. And I can't even listen to it now.”

Yahoo - Parton also appeared on “Bound to Ride,” a tribute to The Stanley Brothers.

WHERE:

Yahoo - Parton recorded “Torn” in Nashville.

Yahoo - The song’s country version received a radio premiere through major broadcasters and platforms, including iHeart, Cumulus, Audacy, Beasley, Summit, Townsquare, SiriusXM, and Music Choice.

WHEN:

Yahoo - The duet was recorded in June 2026, weeks before Parton died at age 80.

Yahoo - Parton’s message to Bono was dated June 2.

Yahoo - Parton died on August 25, 2026.

Yahoo - The country version’s all-day radio premiere was scheduled for November 12; the album was scheduled for release on Friday, November 13.

Yahoo - *Carnaval de Luz* is U2’s 16th studio album.

WHY:

Variety - The song’s lyrics appear to use a divided country as a metaphor, according to the article.

Yahoo - Bono said Parton got out of bed to record the song while ill.

HOW:

Yahoo - A version titled “Torn” (Kent Wells Version) was set for an all-day country radio premiere across broadcast companies and platforms.

(UPDATED November 13, 2026 07:00 UTC)

U2’s new album closes with “Torn,” a duet featuring Dolly Parton and Bono. Recorded in Nashville, the song was Parton’s final vocal performance before her death. Co-written by U2, Parton, and Johnny McDaid, it reflects on divided family ties.