Déjà Vu
Destiny\'s Child Lyrics

Bass
The introduction to the instrumental of the song.

Uh
A non-verbal sound to add emphasis to the beat.

Hi hat
A percussion instrument used to keep time in the song.

Uh
A non-verbal sound to add emphasis to the beat.

808
The bass drum sound in the instrumental of the song.

Uh
A non-verbal sound to add emphasis to the beat.

Jay
A reference to Jay-Z, who is featured on the song.

Uh huh
A non-verbal sound to show agreement or enthusiasm.

Ready?
Asking if the listeners are ready to begin.

Uh huh
A non-verbal sound to show agreement or enthusiasm.

Let's go get 'em
Encouragement to begin with the song.

Uh huh
A non-verbal sound to show agreement or enthusiasm.

Come on
Encouragement to begin with the song.

I used to run base like Juan Pierre
The singer used to play baseball like the athlete Juan Pierre.

Now I run the bass, hi hat, and the snare
The singer now performs in music, playing bass guitar, hi-hat and snare drum.

I used to bag girls like Birken Bags
The singer used to attract women like an expensive Birken bag.

Now I bag B (Boy, you hurtin' that)
The singer now has a relationship with a man, Jay-Z, who is referenced as B.

Brooklyn Bay where they birthed me at
The singer is from Brooklyn, where she grew up.

Now I be everywhere--the nerve of rap
The singer has become a famous musician and travels frequently. She is commenting on the boldness of the music industry.

The audacity to have me whipping curtains back
The singer is surprised by her own success and the luxurious lifestyle it has afforded her.

Me and B, she about to sting
The singer and Jay-Z are about to release a song that will be successful.

Stand back
An instruction to stand back and witness the success.

Baby, seems like everywhere I go
The singer feels like she sees her ex-partner everywhere she goes.

I see you, from your eyes, your smile
The singer recognizes her ex-partner from his distinctive features, such as his eyes and smile.

It's like I breathe you; helplessly I reminisce
The singer feels like she is constantly thinking about her ex-partner, which is affecting her emotionally.

Don't want to compare nobody to you
The singer does not want to compare anyone else to her ex-partner.

Boy, I try to catch myself
The singer is self-aware of her thoughts and feelings towards her ex-partner.

But I'm out of control
The singer is finding it hard to control her emotions towards her ex-partner.

Your sexiness is so appealing
The singer finds her ex-partner to be very attractive.

I can't let it go
The singer is finding it difficult to move on from her ex-partner.

Know that I can't get over you
The singer is aware that she is finding it hard to move on from her ex-partner.

'Cause everything I see is you
The singer is constantly reminded of her ex-partner in various situations.

And I don't want no substitute
The singer does not want anyone else but her ex-partner.

Baby, I swear it's deja vu
The singer feels like everything is familiar, as if she has experienced it before.

Seeing things that I know can't be
The singer feels like she is seeing things that are impossible or unlikely.

Am I dreaming? When I saw you walking past me
The singer questions if she is dreaming when she saw her ex-partner walking past her.

Almost called your name
The singer almost called her ex-partner's name when she saw him.

Got a better glimpse and then I looked away
The singer saw her ex-partner more clearly before looking away.

Feels like I'm losing it
The singer feels like she is losing her sanity.

Yes, Hova's flow so unusual
Jay-Z's rapping style is unique and uncommon.

Baby girl, you should already know
Jay-Z addresses the singer, who is his partner.

It's H-O, light up the dro'
Jay-Z references himself using his nickname and suggests they smoke marijuana.

'Cause you gon' need help tryin' to study my bounce
Jay-Z's style is difficult to copy or understand.

Flow, blow--what's the difference?
Jay-Z compares his rapping style to drugs, suggesting that his style has an addictive quality.

One you take in vein while the other you sniffin'
Jay-Z further develops the comparison to drugs, suggesting that his impact is greater.

It's still dough--po-po try to convict him
Jay-Z has still made money despite being charged by the police and tried in court.

That's a no-go; my dough keep the scales tipping
Jay-Z is able to maintain his wealth despite legal trouble.

Like four-fours, like I'm from the H-O-U-S-T-O-N
Jay-Z references a rap term and Houston, Texas.

Blow, wind so Chicago of him
Another reference to drugs, suggesting that Jay-Z's rapping style can be intoxicating.

Is he the best ever? That's the argument
Jay-Z questions if he is the best rapper of all time.

I don't make the list; don't be mad at me
Jay-Z did not make a list himself and expects people to not be angry with him for his opinion.

I just make the hits like a factory
Jay-Z emphasizes his ability to create successful songs.

I'm just one-to-one, nothin' after me
Jay-Z is unique and there is no one else like him.

No deja vu, just me and my, oh
Jay-Z is referencing his unique rap style, which does not remind him of anyone or anything else.

Baby, I can't go anywhere
The singer feels like she is unable to escape the memories of her ex-partner.

Without thinking that you're there
The singer constantly thinks of her ex-partner.

Seems like you're everywhere, it's true
The singer feels like her ex-partner is everywhere around her.

Gotta be having deja vu
The singer feels like she is experiencing things that she has already experienced before.

'Cause in my mind I want you here
The singer is struggling with thoughts of wanting her ex-partner back.

Get on the next plane; I don't care
The singer would do anything to be with her ex-partner.

Is it because I'm missing you
The singer wonders if her deja vu is due to her missing her ex-partner.

That I'm having deja vu?
The singer is questioning why she is experiencing deja vu.