Third Rate Romance

Album: Stacked Deck (1975)
Charted: 14
Play Video
  • Lyrics currently unavailable Writer/s: Russell Smith
    Publisher: Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Comments: 13

  • Dt from Marathon, FlFun song. And back in the day, nothing wrong with a "Third Rate Romance, Low Rent Rendevous!" good times-and great memories
  • Joe Murphy from Acworth, GaYep saw the Aces open up for Jimmy Buffett in ‘78 or ‘79 and they told same story of writing TRR at the original Ruby’s! Used to hang out there, it was a cool spot before they grew into a chain and went all corporate.
  • Nell from MoI read somewhere that one of Sam Phillips' sons produced this. Sam from Sun Records. True?
  • Bruce Belitz from TennesseRussell wrote this song in the original Ruby Tuesday on Cumberland avenue in Knoxville around the time his father Howard and my mother were dating! The Family Inn was a chain in the south owned and founded by Kenneth Seaton!
  • Randy from Houghton Lake, MiI didn't like Sammy Kershaw's cover when I first heard it but it grew on me. This is still my favorite version.
  • Brent from Denair, CaA perfect song to sum up the 70's lifestyle for many.
    Bill from Pensacola: good call on the PAUSE portion of the song. Perfect timing.
  • Ken from Louisville, KyI wonder if they used the term "Family Inn" so not to get sued by Holiday Inn. No matter, it is a great metaphor. Going to the "Family Inn" for fornication - or perhaps even adultery! Gets the point across. The song is a perfect description of sexual morals of the 1970's. The scenario played out in real life countless times across the country.
  • D Ross from Salmon Arm, BcAlan Jackson does a live swing version on youtube that's pretty good.
  • Dt from Gulf Breeze, FlHad a few of these in my day. Great fun, great memories. Great tune.
  • Carolyn from Knoville, TnWhat a great song! I just stop whatever I'm doing whenever I hear it on the radio and listen to it.
  • Bill from Pensacola, Flthis is one of those (few) songs where all the words mattered AND everyone knew the words!,
    we used to love the pause after "I've never really done this kind of thing before.........PAUSE
    .have you?"
    Then the guitar answers for all of us! great song writing.
  • Matthew from Roseville, CaGood old song...
  • Guy from Woodinville, WaLove this song! It's such a well-crafted portrait of these rather sad, lonely (yet horny) people. The Amazing Rhythm Aces' version is the only one I know, BTW.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Rock Revenge Songs

Rock Revenge SongsMusic Quiz

John Lennon, Paul Simon and Lynyrd Skynyrd are some of the artists who have written revenge songs. Do you know who they wrote them about?

70s Music Quiz 1

70s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

The '70s gave us Muppets, disco and Van Halen, all which show up in this groovy quiz.

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"They're Playing My Song

As a songwriter and producer, Narada had hits with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Starship. But what song does he feel had the greatest impact on his career?

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.

Elton John

Elton JohnFact or Fiction

Does he have beef with Gaga? Is he Sean Lennon's godfather? See if you can tell fact from fiction in the Elton John edition.