Lyric discussion by bshirley 

The lyrics aren't totally correct.

A "ten percenter" is someone who doesn't give 100% to a task. It doesn't refer to using 10% of your brain (a pseudo scientific myth by the way). The character in the song is a soda jerk. The person who hand pulls soda (carbonated beverage) from the storage container into your glass. This is often where you'd get ice cream or a float as well.

"Cotton mouth" is when your mouth is dry or you're thirsty. It's reference is to being thirsty after you "suck a syrup and soda".

"Soda jerks, Iggy Pop, and me."

  • Frank, from the Frank Black album press kit
An error occured.