Dolly Parton sings about a ‘family at war’ on her final recorded song

Dolly Parton recorded a duet with U2 frontman Bono in June, in what is believed to be her final recorded song before her death in August aged 80. The ballad, “Torn”, reflects on a divided family and was described by Bono as a prayer for America and places affected by political division.

Parton recorded her vocals while ill with cancer; Bono said she left her bed to sing and did not realise how ill she was. U2 producer Garret “Jacknife” Lee said she loved the finished track and was proud of her vocal. The article also reports a separate family dispute: Parton’s manager dropped a lawsuit against her nephew, who had been dismissed from his security role after her death.