Dolly Parton Appears on Final U2 Album Track
The country music legend recorded her vocals for the song Torn while battling cancer shortly before her death in August 2026.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Country
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Dolly Parton collaborated with U2 on the song Torn, which serves as the final track on the bands upcoming album Carnaval de Luz. The legendary singer recorded her parts for the project while ill in August 2026.
Why it matters
The collaboration offers a final musical contribution from Parton, who passed away following a brief battle with cancer at age 80. Her participation reflects a late-career artistic partnership that emerged after she initially declined a different project with the band.
Dolly Parton recorded her vocals for the song Torn just five days before her final hospitalization at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in August 2026. The album Carnaval de Luz is scheduled for release on November 13, 2026.
The players
Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton was a renowned country music singer and songwriter who died at age 80.
U2
U2 is an Irish rock band that collaborated with Parton on their latest studio album.
The details
Parton recorded the vocals for the song Torn after getting out of bed while suffering from illness. She had previously suggested the track to U2 after declining to work on a different piece of music.
Timeline
Dolly Parton died in August 2026.
U2 will release the album Carnaval de Luz on November 13, 2026.
A time capsule containing a separate track by Parton is scheduled for opening on January 19, 2046.
Industry Dynamics
The collaboration marks a significant intersection between country music heritage and international rock production, reflecting a broader trend of cross-genre archival projects. This effort mirrors the preservation strategy behind the time capsule at Dollywood's DreamMore resort.
Listeners can access the final collaboration when the album releases on November 13, 2026. This release provides fans with one of the final studio performances recorded by Parton before her passing.
The takeaway
This final collaboration serves as a poignant closing chapter to a decades-long career in music. Fans can remember the artist's dedication to her craft, which continued even during her final days.
What happens next
The U2 album Carnaval de Luz is scheduled for release on November 13, 2026. A time capsule at Dollywood's DreamMore resort containing the track My Place in History is scheduled for opening on January 19, 2046.
Further reading
Explore more artist news and musical releases in the Country section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Independent.
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