_JPG.jpg)
Today's "Great Country Song of the '70s" is a story that begins in a bar and ends up in a motel as an awkward one-night stand.
No, it's not 1977's "Lucille" by Kenny Rogers. :-) We already highlighted that song back on 12/29/19.
Today, we're going back to 1975 for "Third Rate Romance" by the Amazing Rhythm Aces.
The song was written by Russell Smith and originally recorded by Jesse Winchester and the Rhythm Aces.
As you can probably tell by the above sentence, the group went through a few changes.
To avoid the draft, Jesse moved to Canada and eventually left the group for a solo career.
Russell and the rest of the group initially went to Quebec to record some songs with him--including "Third Rate Romance," but it wasn't released as a single until the re-formed "Jesse-less" group re-recorded it.
The song was a MAJOR hit in the Great White North: #1 on the Country and Adult Contemporary Charts, and #2 on the Top 40. In the US, it didn't quite crack the Top 10, but it came close: #11 on the Country Chart and #18 on the Hot 100.
While both "Third Rate Romance" and "Lucille" are similar in content, they certainly differ in tone. "Lucille" is a rather sad story, while "Romance" is more "tongue in cheek."
Maybe I'm the only who hears it that way...but it's the reason why I think "Third Rate Romance" earns its status as a "Great Song of 1975."
Click the links to both songs, and decide for yourself!
(Note: I've also included a link to the hit 1994 cover version by Sammy Kershaw: #2 on Billboard's Country Chart in the US and #5 in Canada).
"Third Rate Romance" by the Amazing Rhythm Aces:
"Lucille" by Kenny Rogers:
Sammy Kershaw:
Commentaires