Benson turns quiet resignation into lively bluegrass on “When Being Who You Are Is Not Enough,” featuring Woody Platt and Shannon Whitworth. Mountain Home Music Company will release the single Friday, Oct. 23.

Wayne and Kristin Scott Benson discovered the song through Maura O’Connell’s recording. Rather than imitate its original arrangement, the husband-and-wife duo increased the tempo and placed it inside a traditional bluegrass setting.

A Sad Song That Refuses to Sound Slow

The brighter arrangement creates an unusual tension. Mandolin, banjo, guitar and bass move with bluegrass energy, while the lyrics describe someone who has exhausted every attempt to save a relationship.

“I felt like they retained the sadness of this song, even though we sped it up and delivered it in a traditional bluegrass context,” Wayne Benson said. “You have to be careful doing that, but they sang it mournfully, which is what the lyrics called for.”

Platt and Whitworth, another married musical partnership, handle the lead and harmony vocals. Their restrained performance keeps the arrangement from turning the song’s resignation into cheerfulness.

Jim Lauderdale and Leslie Satcher wrote “When Being Who You Are Is Not Enough.” The recording features Wayne Benson on mandolin, Kristin Scott Benson on banjo, Cody Kilby on guitar and Kevin McKinnon on bass.

Kristin said the song’s strength became clearer when it survived such a dramatic change in style.

“This cut is drastically different from the original, but it still works,” she said. “It’s a sad message of defeat from someone who has tried as hard as they can. They’re not mad or hurt anymore, they’re just done.”

The single continues an active period for Kristin, a six-time IBMA Banjo Player of the Year. She also contributed banjo to Aaron Burdett’s forthcoming album Take the Good.

Meanwhile, Lauderdale recently appeared on Chris Jones & The Night Drivers’ Chalk Lines and Dust, including the Jones-John McCutcheon collaboration “How Small of Me.”

Pre-save or listen to Benson’s “When Being Who You Are Is Not Enough.”