Third Rate Romance

"Third Rate Romance" is a song written by Russell Smith, first recorded in Montreal in 1974 by Jesse Winchester and his band the Rhythm Aces, assisted by Smith. It became a hit the following year by the newly re-formed Amazing Rhythm Aces on its 1975 album Stacked Deck. It was the band's debut single, reaching #11 on the U.S. country singles chart and #14 on the Billboard Hot 100,[1] as well as #1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks and Top Singles charts.

"Third Rate Romance"
Single by Amazing Rhythm Aces
from the album Stacked Deck
B-side"Mystery Train"
ReleasedJune 23, 1975
GenreCountry rock
Length3:17
LabelABC
Songwriter(s)Russell Smith
Producer(s)Barry Burton
Amazing Rhythm Aces singles chronology
"Third Rate Romance"
(1975)		 "Amazing Grace (Used to Be Her Favorite Song)"
(1975)

Content

The third-person lyrics tell the story of a man and woman who meet at a restaurant and depart together for what presumably will prove to be a one-night stand at a motel (the "Family Inn"). At the door of the room, she nervously says more than once, "I've never really done this kind of thing before—have you?" He admits that he has, "but only a time or two."

Chart performance

Sammy Kershaw version
"Third Rate Romance"
Single by Sammy Kershaw
from the album Feelin' Good Train
B-side"Paradise from Nine to One"
ReleasedAugust 30, 1994
GenreCountry
Length3:21
LabelMercury Nashville
Songwriter(s)Russell Smith
Producer(s)Buddy Cannon, Norro Wilson
Sammy Kershaw singles chronology
"National Working Woman's Holiday"
(1994)		 "Third Rate Romance"
(1994)		 "Southbound"
(1995)

American country music artist Sammy Kershaw covered the song on his 1994 album Feelin' Good Train, from which it was released as a single in 1994. It peaked at #2 in the United States[11] and at #10 in Canada. Kershaw's version features backing vocals from former Amazing Rhythm Aces member Russell Smith, who also wrote the song.

Music video

The music video was directed by Michael Merriman, and premiered in late 1994. It features a woman tricking an old man into going to a motel with her. She steals his money and watch and then drives off with another man, as the old man tries to chase them down.

Chart performance
Chart (1994) Peak
position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[12] 10
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[13] 5
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[14] 2

Other versions
  • Jesse Winchester recorded the song on his 1974 album Learn to Love It.
  • Ace Spectrum recorded a more funky version of the song on their 1975 album Low Rent Rendezvous.
  • Elvis Costello recorded the song as a demo in 1975 on the album known as the "Flip City Demos"
  • Tom Jones recorded the song in 1976.
  • Rosanne Cash recorded the song on her 1982 album Somewhere in the Stars.
  • Fabulous Poodles recorded the song on their 1978 album Unsuitable.
  • Terry Rudenick recorded the song in 2019 on his EP The Road Is Long.

Another version Earl Scruggs Review Anniversary Special 1975

References
  1. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 24. ISBN 0-89820-177-2.
  2. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 6486." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
  3. "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 4038." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
  4. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6131a." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
  5. Flavour of New Zealand, 24 October 1975
  6. "The Amazing Rhythm Aces Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  7. "The Amazing Rhythm Aces Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  8. Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993. Record Research. p. 15.
  9. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". collectionscanada.gc.ca.
  10. Musicoutfitters.com
  11. Whitburn, p. 224
  12. "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 2653." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. November 14, 1994. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
  13. "Sammy Kershaw Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard.
  14. "Sammy Kershaw Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
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