Déjà Vu
Beyoncé/Jay Z Lyrics

Bass
The opening line serves as an announcement of the song's instrumental composition, calling attention to the bass guitar.

Uh
This and the following lines of the song are interjections meant to punctuate the beat and hype up the listener.

Hi hat
The track's percussion includes a hi-hat cymbal sound that is being called out.

Jay (uh huh)
Jay Z introduces himself in the song and adds a 'uh huh' to signify his agreement with the beat and readiness to perform.

Ready? (Uh huh)
Jay Z asks the listener if they're ready for what's coming next, fully aware of his and Beyonce's star power.

Let's go get 'em
The duo encourages their fans to enjoy their music and go after their goals with the same energy and conviction.

I used to run base like Juan Pierre
Jay Z compares his past days as a drug dealer ('run base') with a popular baseball player Juan Pierre who is known for his exceptional speed ('run base').

Now I run the bass, hi hat, and the snare
Jay Z reflects on how he's channeled his energy and talent into music by being closely involved in its production, emphasizing his rebranding.

I used to bag girls like Birken bags
Jay Z brags about his days of scoring high-end women ('bag girls') like Birken bags, a posh designer accessory brand.

Now I bag B (Boy, you hurtin' that)
Jay Z acknowledges his relationship with Beyonce ('bag B') and acknowledges her commanding presence in the song. He compliments her talent while calling her out for stealing the show ('you hurtin' that').

Brooklyn Bay where they birthed me at
Jay Z pays homage to his hometown and expresses gratitude for his upbringing and experiences in Brooklyn Bay.

Now I be everywhere, the nerve of rap
Jay Z acknowledges his success and fame ('I be everywhere') while commenting on the industry's audacity to underestimate him at times.

The audacity to have me whipping curtains back
Jay Z uses curtains as metaphors for hurdles, acknowledging that despite barriers in his way, he's still on top of his game and winning ('whipping curtains back').

Me and B, she about to sting
Jay Z references Beyonce with a subtle nod to her alter ego 'Sasha Fierce' ('about to sting').

Stand back
Jay Z gives the listener a warning and tells them to stand back and watch the talented couple take over the game.

Baby, seems like everywhere I go
Beyonce confidently references the omnipresence of her partner Jay Z ('seems like everywhere I go, I see you') as a manifestation of their love and strong connection.

From your eyes, your smile
Beyonce singles out the facial features of her partner that fascinate and attract her the most.

It's like I breathe you, helplessly I reminisce
Beyonce describes how deeply intertwined and ingrained her feelings for Jay Z are, portraying a sense of helplessness in reminiscing about their relationship.

Don't want to compare nobody to you
Beyonce makes it clear that Jay Z is incomparable and irreplaceable, acknowledging his uniqueness as a partner and artist.

Boy, I try to catch myself
Beyonce tries to keep herself in check and resist being consumed by thoughts of Jay Z, an indication of the depth of her feelings.

But I'm out of control
Despite her best efforts, Beyonce gives in to her feelings and realizes she cannot help being out of control when it comes to Jay Z.

Your sexiness is so appealing
Beyonce admires Jay Z's sex appeal and its irresistible quality.

I can't let it go, oh
Beyonce admits her love for Jay Z and expresses an unwillingness to let go of her feelings for him.

Yes, Hova's flow so unusual
Jay Z references his nickname 'Hova' and acknowledges the uniqueness of his flow as a rapper.

Baby girl, you should already know
Jay Z addresses Beyonce directly, reminding her that he's the best rapper and she's lucky to be with him ('already know').

It's H-O, light up the dro'
Jay Z brags about his initials and encourages the listener to light up ('light up the dro').

'Cause you gon' need help tryin' to study my bounce
Jay Z warns that it's not easy to emulate him ('study my bounce') and implies his exceptional skills and experience.

Flow, blow, what's the difference?
Jay Z comments on the similarity between different methods of getting high and performing ('flow, blow'), suggesting they are equally acceptable.

One you take in vein while the other you sniffin'
Jay Z distinguishes between taking drugs intravenously versus snorting them, making it clear he's done both ('one you take in vein while the other you sniffin'').

It's still dough, po-po try to convict him
Jay Z prioritizes his wealth ('It's still dough') despite the police's efforts to arrest him ('convict him').

That's a no-go, my dough keep the scales tipping
Jay Z suggests that his money influences justice ('keep the scales tipping'). He also implies he's too rich to be bothered about the law ('a no-go').

Like four-fours, like I'm from the H-O-U-S-T-O-N
Jay Z references a famous line by rapper Scarface ('like four-fours') and acknowledges his association with Houston ('like I'm from the H-O-U-S-T-O-N').

Blow, wind so Chicago of him
Jay Z references Chicago's notorious winds ('Blow, wind') and identifies with the city in his own way ('so Chicago of him').

Is he the best ever? That's the argument
Jay Z acknowledges his status as one of the greatest rappers of all time but also acknowledges that the industry still debates who's the greatest.

I don't make the list, don't be mad at me
Jay Z distances himself from the conversation around the best rappers and avoids controversy ('I don't make the list').

I just make the hits like a factory
Jay Z is confident in his ability to create hit songs and consistently deliver quality work like a well-oiled manufacturing process ('like a factory').

I'm just one-to-one, nothin' after me
Jay Z asserts that there is no one else like him and implies his irreplaceability.

No déjà vu, just me and my, oh
Jay Z excludes the possibility of déjà vu ('No deja vu') and focuses on himself ('just me and my, oh') as the key to his continued success.

Baby, I can't go anywhere
Beyonce admits that her feelings for Jay Z impact her emotions and state of mind, making it hard to focus ('can't go anywhere').

Without thinking that you're there
Beyonce mentally connects Jay Z's presence to her environment and routines ('thinking that you're there').

Seems like you're everywhere, it's true
Beyonce confirms the idea that Jay Z is omnipresent ('Seems like you're everywhere') and how it makes her feel.

Gotta be having déjà vu
Beyonce references the song's title and suggests that the repeating emotions she feels for Jay Z are similar to déjà vu.

'Cause in my mind I want you here
Beyonce admits she has Jay Z on her mind and prefers to be with him ('want you here').

Get on the next plane, I don't care
Beyonce shows her determination and willingness to go to great lengths to be with Jay Z, even if it requires her to take the next plane.

Is it because I'm missing you
Beyonce looks for an explanation for why she feels a strong connection to Jay Z and wonders if it's because she misses him.

That I'm having déjà vu?
Beyonce repeats the song's title line implying that her déjà vu experience may be a result of her emotional connections to Jay Z.

Know that I can't get over you
The repetition of 'Know that I can't get over you' at the beginning of the chorus accentuates the idea that Beyonce's feelings for Jay Z run deep and are hard to ignore.

'Cause everything I see is you
Beyonce references the ubiquity of Jay Z in her perceptions and surroundings ('everything I see is you').

And I don't want no substitute
Beyonce emphasizes her love for Jay Z and reassures him that there is no one else who could even come close to him ('don't want no substitute').

Baby, I swear it's déjà vu
Beyonce reinforces the idea that her emotions feel like déjà vu by using the song's title as an assertion ('Baby, I swear it's déjà vu').