FAWM: "Rope-a-dope"

Rope-a-dope

Liner Notes

Every February without fail... I have various plans for February but life throws a few extra punches just to make it more "fun..." but don't count me out.

Inspired by the quote from American philosopher Mike Tyson: "Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth."

#metaphor #bluegrass #boogie #video #onetake #folk #upbeat #guywithguitar #acoustic #singersongwriter #meta

Lyrics

Rope-a-dope - February 7, 2025

I thought I’d come out of the gate running
I was ready and rearing to go
I was champing at the bit
For the clock to strike midnight
I was ready to start the fight
Everybody has a plan

Chorus:
Then you get punched in the face or
Dragged through the mud
I never saw that one coming
When you pulled out rug

I’d trained for months for the title bout
It was all I was ever thinking about
Dreaming of the opening bell
Fists flying, gonna give ‘em hell
I was ready to go that night but
Everybody has a plan

Bridge:
But never count me out in the final round
I’m not dead until I’m in the ground
Rope-a-dope, you don’t want this smoke
Try to break me but I ain’t broke
Haymakers flying, ain’t got nothing to lose
Jab, hook, right, left, one, two

Ending Chorus:
Yeah, you're gonna punched in the face
or dragged through the mud
Not gonna see that one coming
When they pull out the rug

Ending:
Rope-a-dope
You don’t want this smoke
You can try to break me
but I ain’t broke.

Comments

@treerose 2d

I feel this one so hard. Excellent job!

@cloudboy 1w

They say, "The best-laid schemes..." But holy moly, did you check to see if the guitar is still smoking? Super fun tune and agree it's always fun to hear you chuckle whilst playing. It reminds to have fun, be free, and go with the flow the best way you know.

@hamiltonpoolhall 1w

Video! Great way to take the Tyson quote and keep it going in the choruses; it's super cool. I love the changeup in tempo (file under "things I never remember to do but love hearing other people make use of"). Great vocal and guitar sound, really doing justice to the *quality* of your picking and singing, which are both doing a thoroughly captivating job of driving this song forward.

@thomasboles 1w

Pretty Classic Dan V! Ain’t always the first week of February where everyone gets sick or your studio/garage gets a leak or overpiled with todos.
Another reason why MAWM should happen for us slowskies.
Great tune. Love the finger dancing.

@eric 1w

I was also excited to get started this month, but struggled at the bell. Great metaphors, unless you are actually boxing now. Nice job on the acoustic, and the occasional laugh fits the song perfectly

@pumpkinhead 2w

Great song. Humour and message at the same time always please me.
Nice work there on the guitar and I love the way you were laughing all through the song.
Now I gotta add Mike to my list of great boxers. Thanks 🙏

@stevenwesleyguiles 2w

Simple and wonderful chorus line. Also very universal. Also hilarious taking the quote from Tyson. Wisdom can be found anywhere.

And like david said, you're playing is always STELLAR - holy cow on those acoustic riffs.

@davidtaro 2w

Fantastic playing man! Those are some crazy bluegrass runs you're very casually pulling off. Nice little smiles and trademark DV chuckles - you can't help but smile along. Particularly like the end of the bridge, where that 'jab, hook, right, left, one, two' really evokes the sense of being under a flurry of punches. And I totally empathise with that thing of feeling ready for FAWM... until life whacks you in the mouth. Ouch!

@nadine 2w

The intro already killed me. You have such a tight and dynamic playing. The interlude melody is super cool. And you're even singing along. I'm blown away!
I didn't expect you to write a song about a box fight.

@jeff9 2w

Man, that's some seriously legit picking there, Dan. Clever song, too, and well sung. Great tone on your axe there, but couldn't quite see the headstock and what kind it is. Is it a secret?

@newukenewyork 2w

Wow, great guitar chops! I loved that intro and your playing throughout. Then those vocals grabbed me -- you don't sound like you're working hard at all, like it comes so easy.

@frozenlonesome 2w

So great to hear you play and a treat to see you as well. Nice song and excellently played.

@chipwithrow 2w

Great to hear you again! That is some mighty swell picking. Delightfully exuberant performance. Love the vocal delivery of these sharp lyrics. An all-around knockout!

@richaaaay 2w

Great fun! Fantastic lyrics and I’m digging your delivery. Just seems you are cracking yourself up having blast, which of course you should be. Love the facial expressions and periodic chuckles. Fab guitar playing too 👍🏻

@timfatchenMod 2w

Once upon a time I thought "when I grow up I'll play guitar as well as that". Sadly, still haven't grown up. For all the protagonist keeps getting beaten up, this is an optimists's song! Glad of the listen!

@sheslin 2w

Wow that is some fancy picking there! Great song concept and so relatable. I really like how you are having fun with it - and what a treat to see you play. Super catchy melody and great vocals as well.

@bradbrubaker 2w

A song that looks fun to play...and it look slike you're having fun, too! The playing between "I" and "you" in the lyrics gives it a universal quality of "I've lived it, I should know."