Dolly Parton’s voice is part of U2’s new song “Torn,” but the track carries a significance that goes beyond a high-profile collaboration. Released November 13, 2026, as the closing song on Carnaval De Luz, the duet was recorded in Nashville in June—before Parton died on August 25 at age 80. Her official website and U2 both identify the recording as her final recorded vocal performance.

When Dolly Parton recorded “Torn” with U2

Parton recorded her vocals in Nashville in June 2026, according to the official announcement published by her website. The song was written by U2, Parton and songwriter Johnny McDaid. U2’s official release notes describe it as a country-leaning song about broken family ties, with a meaning that can reach beyond one family or one relationship.

The recording was produced by Jacknife Lee, with Daniel Lanois contributing pedal steel. That combination gives the song a country foundation while keeping it inside U2’s wider musical world. The track features Bono and Parton on vocals, with The Edge also contributing vocals and guitar, Adam Clayton on bass and Larry Mullen Jr. on drums.

Why the song became Parton’s final recorded vocal

Parton died on August 25, 2026, at age 80, according to the official announcement from her family published on her website. Because the “Torn” session took place in June, the recording was completed before her death. Her official announcement about the song specifically identifies it as her final recorded vocal performance.

That detail gives the release a different emotional weight, but it is important not to confuse the recording date with the release date. Parton did not record the song after her death; the track was completed months earlier and released to the public afterward. The posthumous release lets listeners hear a performance that had not previously been available to them.

What “Torn” is about

U2’s release describes “Torn” as a tender country song centered on broken family ties. That subject gives the duet a natural connection to Parton’s songwriting tradition, which often paired accessible melodies with stories about family, loyalty, heartbreak and resilience. The song’s wider emotional reach is also consistent with U2’s long-running interest in personal stories that point toward larger social and human questions.

The song is not simply a celebrity feature added to an album for attention. Parton is a co-writer, and her vocal is central to the track’s identity. The collaboration brings together two acts with very different musical histories while keeping the focus on the song itself.

The “Torn” country version premiered before the album

Before the album arrived, a separate country version titled “Torn” (Kent Wells Version) received a radio world premiere on November 12, 2026. Parton’s official website said the version would be serviced across major country radio groups and SiriusXM channels. Kent Wells co-produced that version, while Jacknife Lee produced the album track.

The official credits list Parton and Bono on vocals, The Edge on vocals and guitar, Adam Clayton on bass, Larry Mullen Jr. on drums and Daniel Lanois on pedal steel. The session was recorded at Blackbird Studios in Nashville. These details matter because the radio version and the album recording are related releases, not simply two names for the same promotional announcement.

Where “Torn” fits on U2’s new album

Carnaval De Luz is U2’s 16th studio album and its first album of new material in nine years. The band released it on November 13, 2026, during its 50th anniversary year. “Torn” closes the album and links the project to the band’s wider 2026 releases, including the Days of Ash and Easter Lily EPs.

The album also includes collaborations with Brian Eno and Martin Garrix, while Daniel Lanois contributes to “Torn.” For a full tracklist and album overview, read our U2 Carnaval De Luz guide.

Why this release matters to Dolly Parton’s legacy

Parton’s career spanned more than seven decades across country music, pop, film, television, publishing and philanthropy. A new recording released after her death is not a substitute for that legacy, but it does add one more documented performance to the story of her work. It also gives fans a chance to hear her voice in a collaboration that she completed during the final months of her life.

The strongest way to understand “Torn” is to keep both parts of the story in view: it is a new U2 album track built around a genuine collaboration, and it is also the final recorded vocal performance Parton’s official team says she completed. The song’s release is meaningful because of the music and the timing—not because it should be treated as a replacement for the larger body of work she left behind.

The bottom line

“Torn” brings Dolly Parton and Bono together on a country-tinged song co-written with Johnny McDaid. Parton recorded her vocals in Nashville in June 2026, died on August 25, and the track was released with U2’s Carnaval De Luz on November 13. Her official website confirms that it was her final recorded vocal performance.

Sources: Dolly Parton official announcement: “Torn” and recording credits; U2 official album release and “Torn” details; Dolly Parton family announcement; Associated Press: Parton’s career and legacy.