'I can't even listen to it now': Bono reveals Dolly Parton rose from bed rest to record her final song for new U2 album

From the Newshound archive · first published 24 September 2026 · last updated 27 September 2026.

Dolly Parton got out of bed while ill to record her last-ever vocal performance — a duet with Bono called 'Torn' that closes U2's forthcoming 16th studio album, 'Carnaval De Luz', due for release on 13 November. The country legend, who died on 25 August aged 80 after a brief battle with cancer, co-wrote the tender track with U2 and Snow Patrol's Johnny McDaid. Bono told Rolling Stone the experience has left him unable to play back the recording, saying: "When she got ill, she got out of her bed to sing this song. And you can hear that."

Parton recorded her vocals in June, just two months before her death, and was able to hear the final mix and approve it before she died.

Producer Garret 'Jacknife' Lee reportedly said Parton 'loved it' and 'was so proud of her vocal', despite the team's nerves that she might not approve.

'Torn' is described as a country song about a mother watching her family split apart, with Daniel Lanois on pedal steel and Larry Mullen Jr. on drums.