A final, tear-jerking collaboration
Real talk: we aren't crying, you are. Music legend Dolly Parton truly had main character energy until the very end. Before her passing at 80 on August 25, the country icon poured her soul into one last recording session. Bono shared that Parton literally got out of her sickbed in June to lay down vocals for “Torn,” a track that will serve as the emotional closer for U2’s upcoming album, Carnaval De Luz.
The story behind the song
It’s giving pure dedication. While Bono originally approached the legend for a different project, she came through with her own song, “Torn.” With a little help from Snow Patrol’s Johnny McDaid, the team reworked the lyrics to center on a mother watching her family fall apart. Bono admitted to Rolling Stone that the track hits different now, saying, “I can’t even listen to it now.”
Thankfully, Parton got to hear the final version before she passed. Producer Garet “Jacknife” Lee noted that she was “thrilled with it,” which honestly makes the whole thing feel so much more special. She signed off on her own swan song, and it’s lowkey the most iconic way to wrap up a seven-decade career.
Album deets
Carnaval De Luz is set to drop November 13 via Island Records. As the band celebrates their 50th anniversary, this 12-track project concludes a creative streak that included two surprise EPs, Days of Ash and Easter Lily, released earlier this year.
Why it matters
“Torn” isn't just another track on a playlist; it’s a sobering reminder of how music immortalizes artists. For Bono, having that final bit of creative intimacy with a titan like Parton is something he’ll carry with him forever. It’s a total W for her legacy, but the vibes are definitely heavy.
