Déjà vu
Jay-Z/Beyoncé Lyrics

Bass
The song begins with a bass beat.

Uh
A short exclamation to follow the bass beat.

Hi hat
The song adds in a high hat sound to complement the bass beat.

808
The song adds in a classic drum machine sound often used in hip hop music.

Jay (uh huh)
Jay-Z introduces himself with an affirmation.

Ready? (Uh huh)
Jay-Z is feeling confident and ready to start rapping.

Let's go get 'em
Jay-Z is using a sports metaphor to say he's ready to perform.

Uh huh, come on
Jay-Z is encouraging the listener to join in on his energy.

I used to run base like Juan Pierre
Jay-Z compares his past experience with the game of baseball to his current experience in the music industry, where he is now in charge of setting the tempo and rhythm.

Now I run the bass, hi hat, and the snare
Jay-Z further explains that he is now in control of all the musical elements, as opposed to just one element like in baseball.

I used to bag girls like Birken bags
Jay-Z reminisces about his past conquests and how he would treat them like expensive Birken bags.

Now I bag B (Boy, you hurtin' that)
Jay-Z proclaims that he is now in a committed relationship with Beyoncé and that he is happy with just her.

Brooklyn Bay where they birthed me at
Jay-Z shouts out his hometown of Brooklyn, where he was raised and where he first started his music career.

Now I be everywhere, the nerve of rap
Jay-Z explains that he has become successful in the rap game and that he is now a prominent figure who is recognized everywhere he goes.

The audacity to have me whipping curtains back
Jay-Z is saying that he is such a big deal that just his presence alone is enough to cause commotion and stir things up.

Me and B, she about to sting
Jay-Z is referring to Beyoncé and how they are a powerful and dangerous duo.

Stand back
Jay-Z warns the listener to step back and let them do their thing.

Baby, seems like everywhere I go
Beyoncé sings about how she constantly feels like she is being reminded of her partner.

I see you, from your eyes, your smile
Beyoncé describes how everything she sees reminds her of her partner, even their physical features.

It's like I breathe you, helplessly I reminisce
Beyoncé is saying that she feels like she can't live without her partner and reminisces on their past together.

Don't want to compare nobody to you
Beyoncé insists that no one else compares to her partner.

Boy, I try to catch myself
Beyoncé admits that she tries to resist thinking about her partner but can't help it.

But I'm out of control
Beyoncé is saying that her love for her partner is so strong that she can't contain it.

Your sexiness is so appealing
Beyoncé is attracted to her partner's sexiness and it keeps drawing her back to him.

I can't let it go, oh
Beyoncé is saying that she can't let go of her partner and their relationship.

You know that I can't get over you
Beyoncé is stating that she is unable to move on from her partner.

'Cause everything I see is you
Beyoncé feels like everything around her reminds her of her partner in some way.

And I don't want no substitute
Beyoncé doesn't want anyone else besides her partner.

Baby, I swear it's déjà vu
Beyoncé feels like she has experienced this all before, hence the song's title.

Know that I can't get over you
Reiterating that Beyoncé is unable to move on from her partner.

I'm seeing things that I know can't be
Beyoncé is experiencing visions or thoughts of her partner even when he is not there.

Am I dreaming? When I saw you walking past me
Beyoncé is wondering if her visions of her partner are real or just a dream.

Almost called your name
Beyoncé almost called out to her partner because she thought he was there in person.

Got a better glimpse and then I looked away
Beyoncé saw someone who she thought was her partner but upon closer look, realized it wasn't him and looked away.

Feels like I'm losing it
Beyoncé feels like she is starting to go crazy or lose her mind because of her thoughts and visions of her partner.

'Cause everything I see is you (ohh)
Beyoncé repeats that everything around her reminds her of her partner.

Yes, Hova's flow so unusual
Jay-Z's rap flow is unique and stands out.

Baby girl, you should already know
Jay-Z is addressing Beyoncé and saying that she should already know this about him.

It's H-O, light up the dro'
Jay-Z is referring to himself by one of his nicknames and calling for someone to light up a joint.

'Cause you gon' need help tryin' to study my bounce
Jay-Z's rapping style is difficult to replicate and study.

Flow, blow, what's the difference?
Jay-Z is comparing rapping to doing drugs, as both involve a flow that feels good.

One you take in vein while the other you sniffin'
Jay-Z is continuing the drug metaphor by comparing different ways of doing drugs to different ways of rapping.

It's still dough, po-po try to convict him
Jay-Z is saying that despite the negative attention he receives from the police, he is still making money and staying successful.

That's a no-go, my dough keep the scales tipping
Jay-Z is saying that he is still in control despite the hate and still making lots of money.

Like four-fours, like I'm from the H-O-U-S-T-O-N
Jay-Z is referencing a popular song by Mike Jones and saying that he is like Mike Jones from Houston, but with four times the success.

Blow, wind so Chicago of him
Jay-Z is referencing a famous quote from the play Julius Caesar and saying that he is bringing change and making his mark on the industry, much like the city of Chicago did when the phrase was first said.

Is he the best ever? That's the argument
Jay-Z is a highly successful rapper, but whether or not he is the best ever is a matter of opinion.

I don't make the list, don't be mad at me
Jay-Z is saying that he doesn't create the lists of the best rappers ever, so people shouldn't be mad at him if they don't agree with where he falls on the list.

I just make the hits like a factory
Jay-Z is proud of his ability to consistently create chart-topping songs.

I'm just one-to-one, nothin' after me
Jay-Z is saying that there is no one else like him and he is paving the way for future generations of rappers.

No déjà vu, just me and my, oh
Jay-Z is saying that he doesn't experience déjà vu when he's with Beyoncé, just a strong and true bond between them.

Baby, I can't go anywhere
Beyoncé is admitting that she feels like she can't function without her partner.

Without thinking that you're there
Beyoncé feels like her partner is always with her, even when they're physically apart.

Seems like you're everywhere, it's true
Beyoncé feels like everything around her is a reminder of her partner and he is always present in some way or another.

Gotta be having déjà vu
Beyoncé repeats that she feels like she is experiencing something that has happened before, hence the song's title.

'Cause in my mind I want you here
Beyoncé is saying that she desires her partner to be with her all the time.

Get on the next plane, I don't care
Beyoncé is saying that distance from her partner is unbearable and that she wants him to come to her as soon as possible, even if it means taking the next flight.

Is it because I'm missing you
Beyoncé is questioning whether her feelings of déjà vu are due to missing her partner.

That I'm having déjà vu?
Beyoncé repeats the question, unsure if her feelings are truly déjà vu or just a result of missing her partner.

I can't let it go (woo)
Beyoncé is admitting that she can't let go of her feelings for her partner.