Bono was worried he would “look like a stalker” when he called Rosalía to ask for permission to name a U2 song after her. The track, The Mirror Maker (Rosalía), appears on U2’s upcoming album Carnaval De Luz, due for release on 13 November 2026.
The 66-year-old U2 frontman was connected with Rosalía through his friend Penélope Cruz, but admitted he initially felt awkward about contacting the Spanish singer directly.
Bono called Rosalía after Penélope Cruz’s introduction
Rosalía inspired the U2 song, but Bono was hesitant about getting in touch with her to discuss the title.
Speaking to Rolling Stone UK, he recalled asking Penélope Cruz for advice before eventually making the call.
“It’s just a little embarrassing that she became so popular before we put out the song. But that doesn’t matter to me. Everyone knew about Martin Luther King too.”
Bono explained how the conversation with Cruz unfolded.
“I called Penélope: ‘What am I gonna do?’ (Penélope said), ‘Just call her.’ I’m like, ‘I look like a stalker.'”
Rosalía was reportedly flattered by the song and has encouraged Bono about the project. Despite that, the U2 singer admitted he is still nervous about meeting her and has yet to send her the final mix.
“(Rosalía has) been really encouraging, and made me laugh a lot.
“I sort of don’t think I could meet her now. I’m just working up courage to send her the final mix.”
Bono later explained what Rosalía represents to him as an artist, comparing her creative approach with musicians who have inspired him throughout his own career.
“Patti Smith was one for me when I was growing up. There are many, though not enough. Rosalía is certainly one of them.”
He also described the quality he sees in artists who challenge conventional ideas about music and creativity.
“It’s this idea that we’re body, soul and spirit – a rather old-fashioned, quaint notion – and she approaches it with great courage and a self-effacing humour. There’s not just physics; there’s metaphysics.”
U2’s album features Dolly Parton’s final recording
Carnaval De Luz will also feature Torn, the final song recorded by Dolly Parton before her death.
Bono has spoken about finding the recording difficult to listen to following Parton’s passing, particularly because she insisted on recording the song despite being unwell.
“When she got ill, she got out of her bed to sing this song. And you can hear that. And I can’t even listen to it now.”
The U2 frontman had originally discussed a separate folk-inspired project with Parton before she suggested Torn, a song she had written herself.
Bono recalled their conversation:
“She said: ‘That’s a little too Irish for me.’ But then she said: ‘I’ve got this song called Torn. Maybe you can take it somewhere else?’”
The resulting recording became one of the most significant collaborations on U2’s upcoming album.
Bono praised Parton’s performance, saying she delivered the song with extraordinary intensity despite her age and health.
“She sang her heart out and I cannot believe that’s an 80-year-old woman.”
He also reflected on the experience of working with Parton during the final months of her life.
“It’s very moving to have had these intimacies with such a figure. The fact that she’s not here now, except through her songs, is very sobering.”
Carnaval De Luz is scheduled for release on 13 November, bringing together U2’s collaboration with Rosalía and Parton’s final recorded vocal on the same album.
