By Salma El-Sakka
U2 frontman Bono has revealed that the late Dolly Parton recorded her final vocal performance for the band's upcoming song "Torn," which closes their forthcoming album "Carnaval de Luz." Parton, who died in August at age 80, collaborated with the Irish rock group on the track after initially declining a different song proposal.
Collaboration origins
In an interview with Apple Music's Zane Lowe, Bono said the band first approached Parton about a "Celtic Irish folk project" song titled "Lifelong." Parton responded that it was "a little too Irish" for her voice, despite her Scots-Irish Appalachian roots. She then suggested "Torn," a song she had started, and invited U2 to develop it further.
Final recording
Bono described receiving Parton's version as "quite traditional" and said the band transformed it significantly. He expressed surprise that Parton, who was ill at the time, "got out of bed to sing this song" and delivered an "amazing vocal." The band did not know the extent of her illness; Parton had been hospitalized with kidney and autoimmune issues days before her death, later revealed to be cancer.
Time capsule project
Before her death, Parton also recorded a song titled "My Place in History," which was placed in a time capsule at Dollywood's DreamMore resort. The capsule is set to remain sealed until January 19, 2046, which would have been her 100th birthday.
Album release
U2's "Carnaval de Luz" is scheduled for release on November 13.
