Third Rate Romance

Sammy Kershaw's song 'Third Rate Romance' paints a vivid picture of a fleeting, somewhat dispassionate encounter between two strangers. The setting is a ritzy restaurant, where the two characters are introduced. The man, trying to muster up the courage, resorts to alcohol, while the woman stares into her coffee cup. Their conversation is minimal, as both are aware of the unspoken agreement between them. This lack of need for deep conversation highlights the transactional nature of their meeting, emphasizing that they are both experienced enough to understand the situation without words.

The chorus, 'Third rate romance, low rent rendezvous,' encapsulates the essence of their encounter. It suggests a sense of settling for less, a romance that is not first-class but rather a cheap, temporary fix. The lyrics reveal a mutual understanding and acceptance of this low-stakes, low-commitment interaction. The woman's remark, 'You don't look like my type, but I guess you'll do,' and the man's response, 'I'll even tell you that I love you if you want me to,' further underscore the superficiality and lack of genuine connection in their interaction.

As the night progresses, they leave the bar and head to a family inn, a setting that further emphasizes the mundane and unremarkable nature of their rendezvous. The woman's repeated assertion, 'I've never really done this kind of thing before, have you,' juxtaposed with the man's casual admission, 'Yes I have, but only a time or two,' adds a layer of irony and perhaps a hint of self-deception. The song captures the essence of a brief, unremarkable encounter that both characters are willing to engage in, despite its lack of depth or meaning. Through its candid lyrics and straightforward narrative, 'Third Rate Romance' offers a poignant commentary on the nature of fleeting, superficial connections in the modern world.