"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, as well as No.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, "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

Year-end charts

Sammy Kershaw version

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 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

Other versions