The rope-a-dope is a boxing fighting style commonly associated with Muhammad Ali in his 1974 Rumble in the Jungle match against George Foreman.
In competitive situations other than boxing, rope-a-dope is used to describe strategies in which one party purposely puts itself in what appears to be a losing position, attempting thereby to become the eventual victor.

FiO’s great uncle fought the famous former World Middleweight Champion Giacobbe “Jake” LaMotta who was nicknamed “The Bronx Bull” and “The Raging Bull,”.

He was portrayed by Robert De Niro in the 1980 film Raging Bull.

Referring back to the other two lines FiO shows his humbleness saying that even though he may not win he will not quit. He will go the full 12 rounds.

Here FiO continues the last line explaining that he is like a boxer going one on one with an opponent in which he plans on knocking out.

This is a double entendre. FiO is using the everyday saying of “life’s a bitch” using the bitch as both a hard life and female dog.

Since life is tough he will fight back like a boxer or like a male Boxer (vicious dog).

FiO begins the song asking the listener a direct question. We get the feeling that he is depressed and lonely.

Even though he is no longer tight with his friend FiO begins to ask his friend as well as the listener if he remembers the good old days.

The days when they would get high in summer and goto Jets and/or Giants games.

FiO begins the song straightforward, bring the listener into his own personal world.

He is clearly second guessing those closest to him that he calls friends. Will they be at his wedding? Will they be around until the day he dies? Or are these “friends” just there for the moment.

He then goes on to tell us about a specific friend who he was once really close with. Against all odds the took on the world together.

FiO opens up A Lucid Dream with these four lines aimed at the haters who once made fun of him as a rapper in High School. He explains that instead of making fun, now those same haters actually come and pay to see him perform.

He then goes on to tell the listener that not only do they come to see him perform but they beg for free tickets. FiO of course laughs and says no because this is his way of getting back at them.

FiO continues to say fuck you to the haters by explaining that the more you hate the more you inspire him to write and succeed.

Not only are you inspiring him, but you’re making him a better rapper.