Déjà vu
Beyonce / Jay Z Lyrics

Bass
The song begins with a powerful bass note, indicating that something big is about to happen.

Uh
Jay Z interjects with an adlib, hyping up the start of the song.

Hi hat
The hi hat is introduced, setting the rhythm of the song.

808
The 808 drum machine, a staple of hip hop music, is featured in the song's beat.

Jay (uh huh)
Jay Z confirms his presence on the song with an adlib.

Ready? (Uh huh)
Jay Z and Beyoncé prepare to start the song together.

Let's go get 'em
They are hyping themselves up and getting ready to deliver a great performance.

Uh huh, come on
They encourage each other to start singing.

I used to run base like Juan Pierre
Jay Z used to deal drugs on the streets like Juan Pierre runs the bases in baseball.

Now I run the bass, hi hat, and the snare
Jay Z is now in control of the music, running the beats of the song.

I used to bag girls like Birken bags
Jay Z used to pick up girls like he would pick up designer bags.

Now I bag B (Boy, you hurtin' that)
Jay Z is now with Beyoncé (B), and he loves her so much that it's hurting him emotionally.

Brooklyn Bay where they birthed me at
Jay Z was born and raised in Brooklyn, and he credits it as the place where he became the person he is today.

Now I be everywhere, the nerve of rap
Jay Z has now become a global superstar, and he's proud of himself and his success.

The audacity to have me whipping curtains back
Jay Z is so famous that people are eager to see him, and they'll even open their curtains to try and catch a glimpse of him.

Me and B, she about to sting
Jay Z is making a buzz with Beyoncé, and they're about to create something extraordinary together.

Stand back
They urge people to stand back and watch them work their magic.

Baby, seems like everywhere I go
Beyoncé can't help but think of Jay Z wherever she goes.

I see you, from your eyes, your smile
Everything reminds Beyoncé of Jay Z - from his eyes and his smile.

It's like I breathe you, helplessly I reminisce
Beyoncé is so deeply in love with Jay Z that it's like she can't live without him, and she's constantly reminiscing on their time together.

Don't want to compare nobody to you
Beyoncé doesn't want to be with anyone else because nobody compares to Jay Z.

Boy, I try to catch myself
Beyoncé tries to resist thinking about Jay Z all the time, but she can't help it.

But I'm out of control
She's so in love with Jay Z that her feelings are overpowering her.

Your sexiness is so appealing
Beyoncé is attracted to Jay Z's sexiness and charm.

I can't let it go, oh
Beyoncé can't let go of her feelings for Jay Z.

You know that I can't get over you
Beyoncé is still trying to get over her feelings for Jay Z, but she can't.

'Cause everything I see is you
Jay Z is always on Beyoncé's mind, and she can't escape the thought of him.

And I don't want no substitute
Beyoncé doesn't want anyone else but Jay Z. She doesn't want a replacement for him.

Baby, I swear it's déjà vu
Beyoncé has a feeling that she's experienced this feeling before - falling in love with Jay Z.

Know that I can't get over you
Beyoncé is still struggling to get over her feelings for Jay Z.

I'm seeing things that I know can't be
Beyoncé is seeing things related to Jay Z that she knows can't possibly be true or real.

Am I dreaming? When I saw you walking past me
Beyoncé can't believe it when she sees Jay Z walking past her. It's almost like a dream.

Almost called your name
Beyoncé almost says Jay Z's name because she's so excited to see him.

Got a better glimpse and then I looked away
Beyoncé sees Jay Z more clearly, but she quickly looks away, shy from her own feelings.

Feels like I'm losing it
Beyoncé feels like she's going crazy because of her feelings for Jay Z.

'Cause everything I see is you (ohh)
Jay Z is still everywhere in Beyoncé's life, and she can't forget about him.

Yes, Hova's flow so unusual
Jay Z's flow is distinctive and unique.

Baby girl, you should already know
Jay Z is talking to Beyoncé, assuring her that she should already know how great he is.

It's H-O, light up the dro'
Jay Z is referring to himself as Hova (Jehovah), and he's telling people to light up marijuana as a sign of respect for him.

'Cause you gon' need help tryin' to study my bounce
Jay Z is saying that people need to study his style and flow because it's so unique and difficult to replicate.

Flow, blow, what's the difference?
Jay Z is comparing his flow to blowing smoke - both are effortless and smooth.

One you take in vein while the other you sniffin'
Jay Z is comparing the effects of his music to drugs.

It's still dough, po-po try to convict him
Jay Z is saying that he's still making money despite the police trying to arrest him for his past crimes.

That's a no-go, my dough keep the scales tipping
Jay Z is saying that he's too smart and successful to let the police catch him and that his money keeps him ahead of the game.

Like four-fours, like I'm from the H-O-U-S-T-O-N
Jay Z is referencing a gun and the city of Houston, which is known for its gun culture and music scene.

Blow, wind so Chicago of him
Jay Z is referencing the windy city of Chicago and how he's got the same force and impact as the wind.

Is he the best ever? That's the argument
Jay Z is acknowledging that people consider him one of the best rappers, but it's still up for debate.

I don't make the list, don't be mad at me
Jay Z isn't responsible for the best rappers' list, so people shouldn't be angry with him for his ranking.

I just make the hits like a factory
Jay Z is proud of his ability to make hit songs easily and consistently.

I'm just one-to-one, nothin' after me
Jay Z is saying that he's one-of-a-kind, and there won't be anyone like him after he's gone.

No déjà vu, just me and my, oh
Jay Z is saying that he's unique, and there won't be any repeats or copycats of him. He's himself.

Baby, I can't go anywhere
Beyoncé can't go anywhere without thinking of Jay Z.

Without thinking that you're there
Jay Z is always on Beyoncé's mind, and she can't forget him.

Seems like you're everywhere, it's true
Jay Z is still everywhere in Beyoncé's life, and she can't move on from him.

Gotta be having déjà vu
Beyoncé feels like she's reliving the same experience over and over again - longing for Jay Z.

'Cause in my mind I want you here
Beyoncé can't stop thinking about Jay Z, and she wants him to be with her.

Get on the next plane, I don't care
Beyoncé doesn't care about anything else besides being with Jay Z and is urging him to join her as soon as possible.

Is it because I'm missing you
Beyoncé is missing Jay Z, and that's why she's having these feelings.

That I'm having déjà vu?
Beyoncé wonders if she's having these feelings again because she's still in love with Jay Z.

I can't let it go (woo)
Beyoncé can't let go of her feelings for Jay Z, and she's urging him to return to her.