Dolly Parton’s Final Recording Revealed: U2 Duet “Torn”

Dolly Parton made one final recording before her passing, and fans will get to hear it later this year.

The late country music icon appears on U2‘s upcoming album Carnaval De Luz, duetting with Bono on the closing track “Torn.”

The song, which was recorded in June, has now been confirmed as Dolly‘s final recorded vocal performance before she died at age 80 in August.

U2 officially announced the album and collaboration on Thursday (September 24).

Dolly Parton Recorded “Torn” While She Was Ill

Bono revealed that Dolly recorded her vocals while she was dealing with health issues in the final months of her life.

“When she got ill, she got out of her bed to sing this song,” he told Rolling Stone.

He added that hearing the recording now is especially emotional for him.

“I can’t even listen to it now,” Bono said.

Dolly reportedly recorded her part in June, about two months before her passing. According to Bono, the collaboration began after he approached her about participating in a separate project inspired by Irish folk music. Upon hearing some ideas over the phone, she told Bono “that’s a little too Irish for me.”

Dolly ultimately suggested another song she had called “Torn,” which Bono and Snow Patrol musician Johnny McDaid then reworked with her. The finished track was co-written by U2, Dolly and Johnny.

U2 describes “Torn” as a country song centered on broken family relationships. Daniel Lanois plays pedal steel on the recording. Dolly was also able to hear and approve the finished mix before her passing.

When Will Dolly Parton’s Final Recording Be Released?

“Torn” will appear as the final song on U2‘s new album Carnaval De Luz, which will be released on November 13, 2026.

The album marks U2‘s first full studio album of new material in nine years and arrives during the band’s 50th anniversary year. Their new song “Silencio” was released alongside the album announcement on Thursday.

Dolly died on August 25 following what her representatives described as a brief battle with cancer. She had continued working through health issues during the final months of her life.

If you missed it, Dolly shared a health update shortly before her passing and revealed that she was still working despite everything she was going through.

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