Third Rate Romance
| "Third Rate Romance" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Amazing Rhythm Aces | ||||
| from the album Stacked Deck | ||||
| B-side | "Mystery Train" | |||
| Released | June 23, 1975 | |||
| Genre | Country rock | |||
| Length | 3:17 | |||
| Label | ABC | |||
| Writer(s) | Russell Smith | |||
| Producer(s) | Barry Burton | |||
| Amazing Rhythm Aces singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"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 number 11 on the U.S. country singles charts and number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100,[1] as well as number 1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks and Top Singles charts.
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
| Chart (1975) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[2] | 11 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[3] | 14 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 1 |
| Canadian RPM Top Singles | 1 |
| Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks | 2 |
| Preceded by "Say Forever You'll Be Mine" by Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner |
Canadian RPM Country Tracks number-one single October 25, 1975 |
Succeeded by "Secret Love" by Freddy Fender |
| Preceded by "The Ballroom Blitz" by Sweet |
Canadian RPM Top Singles number-one single October 13, 1975 |
Succeeded by "I'm Sorry" by John Denver |
Sammy Kershaw version
| "Third Rate Romance" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Sammy Kershaw | ||||
| from the album Feelin' Good Train | ||||
| B-side | "Paradise from Nine to One" | |||
| Released | October 30, 1994 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 3:21 | |||
| Label | Mercury Nashville | |||
| Producer(s) | Buddy Cannon, Norro Wilson | |||
| Sammy Kershaw singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
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 number 2 in the United States,[4] and number 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. 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)[5] | 10 |
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[6] | 5 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[7] | 2 |
Other versions
- Jesse Winchester recorded the song on his 1974 album Learn to Love It.
- Elvis Costello recorded the song as a demo in 1975 on the album know 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.
References
- ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 24. ISBN 0-89820-177-2.
- ↑ Illegal name entered Amazing Rhythm Aces/Amazing+Rhythm+Aces/chart?f=357 "Amazing Rhythm Aces – Chart history" Billboard Hot Country Songs for Amazing Rhythm Aces.
- ↑ Illegal name entered Amazing Rhythm Aces/Amazing+Rhythm+Aces/chart?f=379 "Amazing Rhythm Aces – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Amazing Rhythm Aces.
- ↑ Whitburn, p. 224
- ↑ "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 2653." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. November 14, 1994. Retrieved August 4, 2013.
- ↑ "Sammy Kershaw – Chart history" Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 for Sammy Kershaw.
- ↑ "Sammy Kershaw – Chart history" Billboard Hot Country Songs for Sammy Kershaw.
External links
- Lyrics of Amazing Rhythm Aces version at MetroLyrics