About the song
“Third Rate Romance,” performed by Sammy Kershaw, is a witty, soulful, and subtly poignant country song that captures a fleeting encounter between two lonely strangers seeking brief comfort. Released in 1994 on Kershaw’s album Feelin’ Good Train, the song quickly became a fan favorite, praised for its storytelling charm and smooth, conversational tone.
Though originally written and recorded by Russell Smith of The Amazing Rhythm Aces in 1975, Kershaw’s version brought new life to the tune almost two decades later. His interpretation gave the song a polished 1990s Nashville sound while keeping its original storytelling spirit intact. With his signature Louisiana drawl and warm baritone, Kershaw delivered a version that was both humorous and melancholy — a perfect example of how country music can turn everyday human experiences into timeless stories.
Background and Context
By the early 1990s, Sammy Kershaw had become one of country music’s most respected traditionalists. Born in Kaplan, Louisiana in 1958, Kershaw grew up immersed in Cajun and classic country influences. His deep appreciation for legends like George Jones and Merle Haggard shaped his vocal style — rich, emotive, and unmistakably Southern.
His debut album, Don’t Go Near the Water (1991), launched him into stardom with hits like “Cadillac Style” and “Yard Sale.” But Kershaw’s decision to record “Third Rate Romance” in 1994 reflected his love for narrative-driven country — songs that tell stories about ordinary people facing ordinary temptations.
The song was already well known thanks to The Amazing Rhythm Aces, whose original version blended country, soft rock, and blues. However, Kershaw’s rendition stripped away the 1970s smoothness and replaced it with a distinctly honky-tonk flavor, giving the story a sharper country edge and making it resonate with a new generation of listeners.
Story and Themes
“Third Rate Romance” tells a story as simple as it is revealing: a man and a woman, both strangers, meet in a small café late at night. They strike up a conversation that quickly turns flirtatious, and before long, they decide to spend the night together.
The title itself — “Third Rate Romance, Low Rent Rendezvous” — is both witty and brutally honest. It sets the tone for a story about casual, unremarkable intimacy — not glamorous, not passionate, just two lonely people trying to fill an emotional void.
The lyrics unfold like a short film:
“She said, ‘You don’t look like my type, but I guess you’ll do.’
Third rate romance, low rent rendezvous.”
In just a few lines, the song captures the awkward honesty of a fleeting connection. There’s humor in the woman’s bluntness, but also sadness beneath the surface — both characters seem aware that what they’re doing is meaningless, yet they go through with it anyway.
The song explores themes of loneliness, desire, and resignation. It’s not a love story, but rather a glimpse into the compromises people make when they crave connection but fear commitment. The “third rate” and “low rent” descriptors reinforce the ordinariness of the encounter — this is not the stuff of grand romance, but of real life in its most human, unpolished form.
Musical Composition and Style
Musically, Kershaw’s version of “Third Rate Romance” combines traditional country instrumentation with a laid-back, bluesy groove. The arrangement features electric guitar twang, light percussion, and warm bass tones, creating an atmosphere that perfectly suits the song’s late-night setting.
The tempo is smooth and unhurried — almost conversational — allowing Kershaw’s storytelling to take center stage. The melody mirrors the song’s tone: simple, catchy, and slightly melancholic.
Kershaw’s vocal delivery is key to the song’s impact. He sings with a blend of charm and irony, capturing both the humor and sadness of the situation. His phrasing feels natural, like a man recounting a story over a drink rather than performing on stage.
Compared to The Amazing Rhythm Aces’ version, Kershaw’s rendition leans more toward pure country storytelling. The southern twang, the honky-tonk rhythm, and the vocal sincerity give it a down-home flavor that made it accessible to mainstream country audiences in the 1990s.
Lyrical Interpretation
One of the song’s great strengths lies in its understated writing. The lyrics never moralize, exaggerate, or romanticize the situation. Instead, they present it plainly — two people acting on impulse, aware of what they’re doing but unwilling to overthink it.
“She said, ‘You don’t look like my type, but I guess you’ll do.’
He said, ‘I’ll even tell you that I love you if you want me to.’”
These lines are both funny and painfully real. They reveal a truth about human behavior — that sometimes people say what they must to avoid feeling alone, even for a night.
The chorus — “Third rate romance, low rent rendezvous” — repeats like a resigned sigh. It’s catchy, but also ironic. It’s as if both characters know they’re engaging in something meaningless, yet they go through with it because, in that moment, even a third-rate romance is better than none.
Kershaw’s interpretation captures the emotional contradiction of the song perfectly. He doesn’t judge the characters; instead, he presents them with compassion. There’s humor in the situation, but also an undercurrent of loneliness and quiet sadness — a sense that both people are just trying to escape their emptiness, even temporarily.
Reception and Legacy
When Sammy Kershaw released “Third Rate Romance” as a single in 1994, it became one of the highlights of his album Feelin’ Good Train. The song climbed into the Top 5 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, and critics praised Kershaw for breathing new life into a classic.
Fans loved his version for its sincerity and charm. It showcased his storytelling skills and his ability to balance humor with heart — qualities that had made him one of the most admired traditionalists of the 1990s country scene.
Today, “Third Rate Romance” remains one of Kershaw’s most recognizable songs. It’s often remembered for its clever lyrics, memorable chorus, and the way it captures a universal truth about human relationships — that not every encounter is meant to be grand or lasting, and sometimes, that’s okay.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sammy Kershaw’s “Third Rate Romance” is a masterclass in understated storytelling. With its combination of humor, realism, and emotional honesty, it transforms a brief, unremarkable moment into a powerful reflection on loneliness and desire.
Through his warm, unpretentious delivery, Kershaw invites listeners to see themselves in the story — not to judge, but to understand. His version of the song preserves the heart of Russell Smith’s original while adding a distinctly Southern flavor that feels both timeless and deeply human.
More than three decades after its first recording, “Third Rate Romance” endures as one of country music’s great narrative songs — a reminder that even the smallest moments of connection can reveal profound truths about who we are, what we need, and how we cope with the loneliness of life.