Dolly Parton and U2’s duet ‘Torn’ released as singer’s final recorded song

On November 12, the members of U2 sat on the Jimmy Kimmel Live! couch to discuss their new album, Carnaval de Luz, which features the last-ever vocals recorded by Dolly Parton on the final track, "Torn." Bono remarked on the universal love and devotion that followed Parton's passing, stating that Dolly is a mythical figure who existed recently.

The band had pitched ideas to Parton, including a "folky" song called "Lifelong," but she had already started a song she was happy for U2 to work on. Bono described Parton's willingness to let U2 tinker with her song as a "real shock," given their ambitious "sci-fi country" direction. Guitarist The Edge noted that Parton was game to play along, despite their differing creative visions.

Bono called the experience a master class, recalling being blown away by Parton's range as she "sang herself to some other place" on the track. He attributed the song's prophetic lines to predicting the loud conversations and possible shouting matches at Thanksgiving tables this year, following a bitter midterm campaign season. The band released a lyric video for the song on November 13, inviting fans to contribute messages of love or memories of Parton, reminiscent of the Johnny Cash posthumous video project.