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 No.11 on the U.S. country singles chart and No.14 on the Billboard Hot 100,^[2] as well as No.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"
Released	June 23, 1975
Studio	Phillips Recording, Memphis, Tennessee
Genre	Country rock[1]
Length	3:17
Label	ABC
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, "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

Weekly charts Chart (1975) Peak position Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[3] 2 Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[4] 1 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[5] 1 New Zealand (RIANZ)[6] 18 US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[7] 11 US Billboard Hot 100[8] 14 US Billboard Adult Contemporary[9] 33

Year-end charts Chart (1975) Rank Canada RPM Top Singles [10] 27 US Billboard Hot 100 [11] 97

Sammy Kershaw version

"Third Rate Romance"
Single by Sammy Kershaw
from the album Feelin' Good Train
B-side	"Paradise from Nine to One"
Released	August 30, 1994
Genre	Country
Length	3:21
Label	Mercury 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 No.2 in the United States country charts^[12] and at No.10 in Canada. Russell Smith provided backing vocals on Kershaw's version.

Music video

The music video was directed by Michael Merriman, and premiered in late 1994. It features a woman luring an older 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)[13]	10
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)[14]	5
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[15]	2

Other versions

• Jesse Winchester - on his 1974 album Learn to Love It.
• Ace Spectrum recorded a more funky take on their 1975 album Low Rent Rendezvous.
• Elvis Costello - as a demo in 1975 on the album known as the "Flip City Demos"
• Tom Jones recorded it in 1976.
• Rosanne Cash - on her 1982 album Somewhere in the Stars.
• Fabulous Poodles - on their 1978 album Unsuitable.
• Another version was performed on The Earl Scruggs Review Anniversary Special (1975).