Strange Deja Vu

Song infobox
Name = Strange Deja Vu


Artist = Dream Theater
Album =
Released = October 26, 1999
track_no = 3
Recorded = 1999
Genre = Progressive metal
Length = 5:12
Writer = Mike Portnoy
Composer = Dream Theater
Label = Elektra Records
Producer = John Petrucci, Mike Portnoy
prev = "Overture 1928"
prev_no = 2
next = "Through My Words"
next_no = 4

"Strange Deja Vu", also known as Scene Two: Part II. Strange Deja Vu is the third song on the progressive metal band Dream Theater fifth studio album "".

The Music

The first chord progression of this song is actually also the last progression of the previous song "Overture 1928" giving impression that the two songs are same. There are also other references to the song of "Overture 1928". For example the electric guitar part from 00:04 to 00:38 is very similar to the 00:27-00:44 electric guitar part from "Overture 1928". Also the 01:30-01:38 part of "Strange Deja Vu" is very similar to the 03:25-03:33 part of "Overture 1928". And the most obvious similarity between those two songs is the chorus of "Strange Deja Vu" lasting from 02:13 to 02:31 and again during the last minute of the song being the same as the second solo of Jordan Rudess during the 02:08-02:26 part of "Overture 1928".

The Story

The song begins with Nicholas explaining his impressions and feelings about his hypnotherapy. We learn that it seems to him that every time he closes his eyes, there's a surprise and new world waiting. It seems that he is getting closer to something although he can't tell what it is. In his dreams he sees a house and a pathway leading there. It seems to him as though he's been there before ("familiar settings, nothing new"). In that house there's a room to which he's drawn to and in that room is also a girl in the mirror whose face is getting clearer. Nicholas then asks her a question ("Young child, won't you tell me, why I'm here?"). It seems to him that something is tearing the girl's soul and she has a story to be told. And finally the girl tells him that something is tearing her heart into two and she isn't the person the Sleeper thought he knew. After that Nicholas wakes up, his head full of questions and anxiety. He wonders if he could have had another life before and thinks that he is destined to make the link between the two worlds. He now feels that he is another person and not the one he thought he always knew. He decides to unfold the secret in hope to find the truth.

Personnel

*James LaBrie - vocals
*John Petrucci - guitar
*John Myung - bass
*Jordan Rudess - keyboards
*Mike Portnoy - drums