Deja Vu

### Writer

Beyoncé • Rodney Jerkins • Delisha Thomas • Makeba • Keli Nicole Price • Shawn Carter

## Video

Original videoRQ9BWndKEgs|209|252

**Deja Vu** is the first track from Beyoncé's second studio album, B'Day.

## Background

The song was written by Beyoncé, Rodney Jerkins, Delisha Thomas, Makeba, Keli Nicole Price and Jay-Z, who is credited as a featured vocalist. It was produced by Darkchild, 808-Ray, and Knowles herself. Deja Vu is a contemporary R&B song, performed in a moderate hip hop groove. It is also influenced by late-1970s funk music, and it contains elements of soul music as well as dance-pop music.  The lyrics detail a woman being constantly reminded of a past lover, shown in the lines, "Is it because I'm missing you that I'm having déjà vu?"

## Reception

Deja Vu was leaked to the internet on June 13, 2006. On June 24, 2006, it was released to radio stations in the United States. Over one month later, it was released to physical formats; the track was released as a CD single on July 31, 2006 in the United States. Deja Vu debuted on the US *Billboard* Hot 100 chart at number 44, less than a month before its physical release. After the release of the digital and physical components, the song peaked at number four on the Hot 100 chart, and reached the top 10 in eight European countries. Deja Vu received mixed and positive reviews among critics. It was nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and Best R&B Song while the Freemasons club remix version was nominated for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical at the 2007 Grammy Awards.

## Lyrics

"Deja Vu"

(feat. Jay-Z)

[Intro:]

[Beyonce:] Bass

[Jay-Z:] Uh

[Beyonce:] Hi hat

[Jay-Z:] Uh

[Beyonce:] 808

[Jay-Z:] Uh

[Beyonce:] Jay

[Jay-Z:] Uh-huh

Ready?

Uh-huh

[Beyonce:] Let's go get 'em

[Jay-Z:] Uh-huh

C'mon

[Jay-Z Rap]

I used to run base like Juan Pierre

Now I run the bass hi hat and the snare

I used to bag girls like Birkin Bags

Now I bag B ([Beyonce:] Boy you hurtin' that)

Brooklyn Bay where they birthed me at

Now I be everywhere, the nerve of rap

The audacity to have me whipping curtains back

Me and B, she about to sting

Stand back

[Verse 1]

Baby seems like everywhere I go

I see you, from your eyes, your smile

It's like I breathe you, helplessly I reminisce

Don't want to compare nobody to you

[Pre-Hook]

Boy, I try to catch myself

But I'm out of control

Your sexiness is so appealing

I can't let it go

Oh

[Hook]

Know that I can't get over you

'Cause everything I see is you

And I don't want no substitute

Baby I swear it's Deja Vu

Know that I can't get over you

'Cause everything I see is you

And I don't want no substitute

Baby I swear it's Deja Vu

[Verse 2]

Seeing things that I know can't be

Am I dreaming? When I saw you walking past me

Almost called your name

Got a better glimpse and then I looked away

It's like I'm losing it

[Pre-hook]

Boy, I try to catch myself

But I'm out of control

Your sexiness is so appealing

I can't let it go, oh

[Hook]

Know that I can't get over you

'Cause everything I see is you

And I don't want no substitute

Baby I swear it's Deja Vu

Know that I can't get over you

'Cause everything I see is you

And I don't want no substitute

Baby I swear it's Deja Vu

[Jay-Z Rap 2]

Yes! Hova's flow so unusual

Baby, girl you should already know

It's H-O, light up the dro'

'Cause you gon' need help tryna study my bounce, flow, blow

What's the difference?

One, you take in vein while the other you sniffin'

It's still dough, po-po try to convict him

That's a no-go

My dough keep the scales tipping like 4-4's

Like I'm from the H-O-U-S-T-O-N

Blow, wind so Chicago of him

Is he the best ever, that's the argu-a-ment

I don't make the list, don't be mad at me

I just make the hits, like a factory

I'm just one-to-one, nothin' after me

No Deja Vu, just me and my, Oh

[Bridge]

Baby I can't go anywhere

Without thinking that you're there

Seems like you're everywhere, it's true

Gotta be having Deja Vu

'Cause in my mind I want you here

Get on the next plane, I don't care

Is it because I'm missing you

That I'm having Deja Vu

[Pre-hook]

Boy, I try to catch myself

But I'm out of control

Your sexiness is so appealing

I can't let it go

Whoo...

[Hook]

Know that I can't get over you

'Cause everything I see is you

And I don't want no substitute

Baby I swear it's Deja Vu

Know that I can't get over you

'Cause everything I see is you

And I don't want no substitute

Baby I swear it's Deja Vu

Know that I can't get over you

'Cause everything I see is you

And I don't want no substitute

Baby I swear it's Deja Vu

Know that I can't get over you

'Cause everything I see is you

And I don't want no substitute

Baby I swear it's Deja Vu