The group formed in 1961 with Leonard "Butch" Davis, Charles Whittington, Jimmy Williams and Joe Harris. They were originally known as the United Image and released two singles, "Love's Creeping Up on Me" on Stax Records in 1971 and "The African Bump" on Branding Iron Records in 1972.
They were signed to Salsoul Records in 1975 and released their debut album, Ten Percent in 1976. The album featured the title track, which was remixed by Walter Gibbons and reached No. 54 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on the dance/disco charts. The tracks "Everyman (Has to Carry His Own Weight) and "My Love Is Free" were also popular club songs.
In 2001, a dance group called M&S used samples from Double Exposure's "Everyman" in their song called "Salsoul Nugget".
In September 2008, they recorded new material an Eli/Dixon/Green composition called "Soul Recession"/Soultronics Records at Eli's Studio E (The Grooveyard) facility in Philadelphia. Some original Salsoul/Philly/TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)/MFSB (Gamble and Huff) session musicians have appeared on "Soul Recession", including Earl Young, Bobby Eli, Dennis Harris, T.G. Conway, Jimmy Williams and Rikki Hicks.
Jimmy Williams died in October 2016.[1]
Ten Percent
Double Exposure Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Ten percent of that something)
Ten percent of something
It beats one hundred percent
Of nothing at all
I only see you
Maybe once or twice a week
You make it worth my while
You treat me like a king
(Treat me like a king)
I cherish any time
That I can spend with you
Just say the words
And I'll do anything
But you must be true, oh
Ten percent of something
(Ten percent of that something, baby)
Ten percent of something
It beats one hundred percent
Of nothing at all
Ten percent of something
(Ten percent of that something, baby)
Ten percent of something
It beats one hundred percent
(Oh, oh, baby) of nothing at all
I do not like those guys
Who try to get all they can
(To get all they can)
Cause when it's over
They're right back where they began
(Back where they began)
It's better to have loved
Than never to have loved at all
(To have loved at all)
I'm with you til the water runs uphill
Ten percent of something
(Ten percent of that something, baby)
Ten percent of something
It beats one hundred percent
Of nothing at all
Ten percent of something
(Ten percent of that something)
Ten percent of something
(Is better than nothing)
Ten percent of something
Ten percent of something
(Than nothing at all)
Ten percent of something
(Now you only see me, baby)
Ten percent of something
(Maybe once or twice a week)
Ten percent of something
(But you treat me, treat me, treat me)
Ten percent of something
(Just like a dog instead of a king)
Ten percent of something (oh, baby)
Ten percent of something (oh, girl)
Just say the word
I'm not like those guys, love
I try, try, try, try all I can, girl
I'm gonna be with you
Be with you til the water runs up hill
Yes, I will, yes, I will, baby
Said I'll cherish, I'll cherish
I swear, my darling
And I'll try my best
To do the best, girl
I need not one
Not two, not three, baby
I need ten percent, ooh
The song “Ten Percent” by Double Exposure is about appreciating what you have even if it’s not a lot. The lyrics say that having 10% of something is better than having nothing at all. This can be applied to relationships where spending time with someone you love, even if it’s just 10% of your time, is better than not seeing them at all. The singer expresses his gratitude for his lover who treats him like a king even though he only sees her once or twice a week. He vows to be loyal to her and that even 10% of their relationship is worth more than having nothing at all.
Line by Line Meaning
Ten percent of something
Having at least a little something is better than nothing at all.
Ten percent of something
Having at least a little something is better than nothing at all.
Ten percent of something
Even a small part of something is still better than nothing at all.
It beats one hundred percent of nothing at all
Having a small part of something is still better than having nothing at all.
I only see you
I don't get to spend much time with you.
Maybe once or twice a week
Only occasionally.
You make it worth my while
You make the time we spend together very enjoyable.
You treat me like a king
You are very good to me.
I cherish any time
I value every moment.
That I can spend with you
When we can be together.
Just say the words
Just tell me what you want.
And I'll do anything
I'll do everything in my power to make it happen.
But you must be true, oh
You must be honest with me.
I do not like those guys
I don't like guys who try to get everything.
Who try to get all they can
Those who take as much as they can.
Cause when it's over
Because when their quest is complete.
They're right back where they began
They're in the same place they started.
It's better to have loved
It's better to have experienced love.
Than never to have loved at all
Than to have never experienced love before.
I'm with you til the water runs uphill
I'm with you forever.
Now you only see me, baby
Now it's my turn to be busy and not see you often.
But you treat me, treat me, treat me
But when we're together, you treat me well.
Just like a dog instead of a king
You treat me well, but not as if I were royalty.
Is better than nothing
It's still better than having nothing at all.
Just say the word
Just let me know what you need.
I'm not like those guys, love
I'm not like those people who try to get as much as they can.
I try, try, try, try all I can, girl
I do my best to make you happy.
Be with you til the water runs up hill
Be with you forever.
I'll cherish, I'll cherish
I'll value and appreciate you.
I swear, my darling
I promise you.
And I'll try my best
I'll do everything I can.
To do the best, girl
To be the best for you.
I need ten percent, ooh
All I need is a bit of something to make it worth it.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALLAN WAYNE FELDER, TALMADGE G. CONWAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Passionate4music1
Earl Young kicked ASS on the drums on this track!!! For all of you who don't know who Earl Young is, he's the founder of the group The Trammps. Earl played on SO many other artists songs. There's TOO many to mention. The brotha got it going on! I had this on vinyl in 12' and now I have it in CD format. I LOVE THIS TRACK, me and dance partner tore this one up in the clubs! Thanks SalsoulRecords for the post and the memories!!!!
@AL082PA
A genius called Walter gibbons!
@bluesrocker4life855
Wow!!! I have not heard 10 Percent of something in 4 decades. What happened to those wonderous days. Miss the days of The Sound Of Philadelphia. Got my first kiss while dancing with a beuty of a girl when this song was playin' !!!
@veiwerdiscression
Unfortunately, we will never have quality music like this again.
@alkh3myst
Seeing that beautiful logo, all the years melt away.
@gloriageyer7691
💖
@ginaduncan5074
Yep I can still dance to this entire run at. 60yrs old
@54jeanmarie
Very few young people were heavy dancing rapidily to disco. Great era of music for the joy of dancing. No message-have fun the the beats.
@WCPR1620AM
I was at Goodwill yesterday and I found something in the record section, and I was totally shocked. It's the first ever commercial 12" single of this awesome classic. The record is in decent shape for its age. I played it on my vintage GE Wildcat to death and I loved it.
@88freighttrain
In GoodWill????? Either they did'nt know or somebody died. This was part of my 4 year break into dancin in the street & parties. Life has'nt been the same since. (72 -76)