Deja Vu (feat. Prince Royce)

Shakira's 'Deja Vu,' featuring Prince Royce, delves into the emotional turmoil of revisiting past wounds inflicted by a former lover. The song opens with a vivid metaphor, comparing the reopening of healed wounds to the sting of lemon, tequila, and salt. This imagery suggests a painful and perhaps self-destructive revisitation of old memories, akin to the burning sensation of these substances on an open cut. The reference to 'deja vu' implies a repetitive cycle, indicating that the protagonist has experienced this kind of hurt before and recognizes the pattern.

The chorus of the song is a declaration of self-preservation and a refusal to engage with the past. Shakira sings about staying alone and avoiding the 'dust,' which could symbolize the remnants of the relationship that could pull her back in. The 'photo of madness' and 'total hypocrisy' likely represent the false image or illusion of what the relationship was, which she is determined to resist. The song's narrative is one of empowerment, as the protagonist chooses to protect herself from repeating the same mistakes and suffering.

The bridge of the song poses rhetorical questions about love and pain, challenging the notion of speaking about love with authority. The lyrics suggest skepticism about the authenticity of such discussions, as the protagonist has been burned by love before. The repeated assertion 'Esa no voy a ser yo' (That's not going to be me) emphasizes her resolve not to fall into the trap of idealizing love or letting it dominate her heart again. The song, therefore, is not just about heartbreak but also about the strength and clarity that comes from recognizing and breaking free from toxic patterns.