Deja Vu

The funk bassline is the shit.

And the way I see the song, in keeping with the storyline of the album, is that she's infatuated with a man and can't get him out of her head. It's literally driving her insane, which would explain how she's going so wild in the video, especially with the "shake the devil off" dance. It's also represented by the heightened vocals in the bridge. Of course Jay's part is kinda him being indifferent to her advances - also represented in the video.

The use of "Déjà Vu" is also incorrect, since what's described are hallucinations.

Wow, I'm the first one to write. The meaning is pretty obvious, so this is really a review. I read an alternate version of the lyrics more suited to the name of the song, but the lyrics themselves are decent. The real sense of "déjà vu" is in regards to Beyoncé's earlier hit "Crazy In Love." The similarities are obvious, though I also notice similarity to Christina Aguilera's new song "Ain't No Other Man." While I prefer this, Christina definitely has the superior voice. Beyoncé's vocals sound strained. I also have to frown upon the repetition of the "Crazy in Love" formula, though I did enjoy this. I actually prefer this chorus to the nearly identical "Crazy in Love" one, since I always had the feeling the music was racing towards some great climax it never reached. I'm sure this will be hugely popular, and I have no complaints about that. It's definitely catchy, though I'm still waiting for Beyoncé to show her true vocal talents (which she hasn't done since the Destiny's Child song "Soldier.") On a final note, I REALLY wish Jay-Z wasn't here. In "Crazy In Love," his meaningless rap was catchy and thus bearable. But he definitely detracted from this song.

By the way, some of these lyrics are incorrect. Mostly Jay-Z's.

This song is definitely catchy, but I have an ambivalent attitude towards this. The brass instruments add power to the song. Unfortunately, Beyonce's voice doesn't. Beyonce seems to try too hard with it; she yells more than she sings. It's really reminiscent of "Crazy in Love," and I do enjoy the "sequel" concept of this song. I agree with the person above me, Jay-Z's rap didn't add anything to the song. Beyonce can definitely sing, but she hasn't shown her true vocal talent for quite a while.

I really like this song. It's actually (in my opinion) the best song of the decade....let's give a round of applause for beyonce. Finally can record something decent and less obvious...

What is 808 at the beggining for?? What the heck does 808 mean??!!

I'm guessing that 808 is a drum set. When Jay-Z says "808," it's just a signal for the drums to kick in.

the roland 808 is a drum machine. the most famous drum machine of all time?

I see 2 scenarios from the lyrics

One: The relationship is over but she is always reminded of him… and it is kinda self-explanatory with the chorus

“Can’t let you go, 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 Déjà vu” “Don't want to compare nobody to you” hence “I don't want no substitute”

Two: The relationship is on the verge of ending and she wants to hold on it… only because the lyrics:

    “Baby I can't go anywhere, without thinkin' that you're there, seems like you're everywhere it's true, Gotta be havin' Déjà vu”

Yes, no?

I saw the video to this. It was crazy. Beyonce went crazy in the middle of it. It made me laugh a little. You should have seen her thighs. They're like jello.