Dolly Parton's Final Recorded Song Featured on U2's Upcoming Album
The late country music icon's last vocal performance is on the U2 track 'Torn,' set to be released on their new album 'Carnaval De Luz.'
Dolly Parton's final recorded song, titled "Torn," will be featured on U2's upcoming album, "Carnaval De Luz," scheduled for release on November 13. Interscope Records announced that this collaboration includes what is tragically Parton's last vocal performance, following her passing on August 25.
U2 frontman Bono, 66, shared that Parton recorded her vocals in June, while she was battling cancer. "When she got ill, she got out of her bed to sing this song," Bono told Rolling Stone. "And you can hear that. And I can't even listen to it now."
Bono had previously approached Parton about collaborating on an Irish folk song, but she suggested a different track. "She said, 'That’s a little too Irish for me,'" Bono recounted. "But she said, 'I got this song. It’s called Torn, and do you wanna see where you can take it somewhere else, maybe?"
Snow Patrol's Johnny McDaid assisted in restructuring the song's lyrics, after which Parton agreed to participate. Her performance left Bono deeply impressed. "She sang her heart out and I cannot believe that's an 80-year-old woman," he said.
Album producer Garret "Jacknife" Lee stated that Parton was very pleased with the final result. "She was so proud of her vocal and the recording," Lee told the outlet. "We were very nervous that she might not approve, or would be uncomfortable with it, but she loved it."
Parton and Bono shared a long association. Earlier this year, Bono sent her birthday wishes for her 80th birthday, accompanied by bagpipers and a cake that read, "Happy Birthday... Love, Bono." Parton shared a video of the surprise on Facebook, expressing her gratitude for the gesture.
Bono reflected on Parton's passing, noting, "It’s very moving to have had these intimacies with such a figure. The fact that they’re not there now, in any way you can call back, other than through her songs, is very sobering."
"Carnaval De Luz," due out November 13, marks U2's first album of new material in nine years. The news of the song's release comes as Parton's estate is reportedly involved in a dispute with her nephew, Bryan Seaver, who was dismissed as security chief for her properties. A temporary restraining order was filed against him by Parton's longtime manager, Danny Nozell.