Dolly Parton's Final Recording Released: A Duet with Bono She Sang from Her Sickbed

Dolly Parton was largely confined to bed rest and ill when she made a decision: she would get up and sing. The result is 'Torn,' a duet with U2's Bono that closes the band's new album, Carnaval De Luz — and stands as the last vocals Parton ever recorded, released publicly for the first time this week.

She got out of her bed to sing this song. And you can hear that. And I can't even listen to it now.— Bono, U2

Parton died in August at the age of 80 after what was described as a brief battle with cancer. She had been hospitalised at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville with kidney and autoimmune issues five days before her death. The type of cancer has not been disclosed.

The song originated with Parton herself. Bono had previously approached her about collaborating on a different track, which she turned down, telling him it was 'a little too Irish for me,' according to the Independent. To make it up to him, Parton offered one of her own compositions.

She said, 'I got this song. It's called Torn, and do you wanna see where you can take it somewhere else, maybe?'— Bono, U2

Bono then worked on Parton's lyrics with Snow Patrol's Johnny McDaid before presenting the reworked track back to her. She agreed to sing on it. The song, co-written by Parton, U2, and McDaid, addresses what Variety describes as an apparent metaphor for the country's politically divided landscape, with Parton delivering the line, 'Nothing hurts…' at one point.

She sang her heart out. And I cannot believe that's an 80-year-old woman.— Bono, U2

Crucially, Parton heard and approved the final mix before she died. The song's producer, Garret 'Jacknife' Lee, confirmed the detail — and the anxiety that surrounded it.

Dolly loved it. She was so proud of her vocal and the recording. She was thrilled with it. We were very nervous that she might not approve, or would be uncomfortable with it, but she loved it.— Garret 'Jacknife' Lee, producer

Carnaval De Luz, U2's 16th studio album, has been released. Parton was laid to rest at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville, beside her husband Carl Dean, who died in March 2025 after 60 years of marriage.

Parton's estate is currently navigating a legal dispute: She's Alive, LLC — the entity Parton established to protect her legacy — has been granted a temporary restraining order against her nephew, Bryan Seaver, and his private security company. The lawsuit alleges Seaver threatened to smear her reputation and made violent threats against employees. Seaver denied the extortion allegation in a statement to TMZ, saying other claims were taken out of context.

Why it matters — The release of 'Torn' gives the public a final, documented artistic statement from one of country music's defining figures, recorded under circumstances that make it both a musical and deeply human document.

Reported by variety.com, people.com, rollingstone.com, countryrebel.com, independent.co.uk