A "traditional country version" of Dolly Parton's final recorded song, a duet with U2 titled 'Torn', has been released. This alternative recording, known as 'Torn (Kent Wells Version)', premiered on US country radio on November 12 and offers a traditional country approach.
The song also appears on U2's 16th studio album, 'Carnaval De Luz', which was released today, November 13. This version features an atmospheric arrangement, with Parton trading vocals with Bono.
Parton recorded her contribution to 'Torn' in Nashville in June, two months before her death on August 25 at the age of 80. The track, co-written by U2, Parton, and Snow Patrol's Johnny McDaid, explores family relationships fractured by political divisions.
Bono explained that U2 reworked Parton's initial idea, which was a traditional country song about being torn between two lovers, to focus on political disagreements within families. He noted that Parton had two brothers who did not speak to each other due to politics.
The finished song is from the perspective of a mother caught between estranged family members, expressing the pain of loving both sides of a dispute.