Déjà Vu (All Over Again) by John Fogerty

Album: Déjà Vu (All Over Again) (2005)

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Fogerty wrote this song about the similarities between the Vietnam War and the war in Iraq. He believed the US government was making the same mistakes again. He recalled to American Songwriter magazine: "'Déjà Vu (All Over Again)' I wrote in '04, and I'd been thinking about the sentiment for probably a year. In some sense, I'd been thinking about it for 40 years. When the Vietnam War officially ended, I was driving and listening to the radio, and they said, 'America has declared that we are withdrawing from Vietnam.' I looked at the radio and said, "Let's make damn sure we never do something that stupid again."

"Years later, when George W's government decided we were gonna invade Iraq, I'm shaking my head and going, 'No, no, no, no, no,'" Fogerty added. "The little [alarms] in my head are going back to the Vietnam War, so I gave it a narrative, a cultural and political narrative."

"I had a separate residence that was my songwriting place, and one day I had gone there to write a swamp-rock song, an escapist thing," he continued. "And I was thinking about what was going on in America. We hadn't entered Iraq yet. It was just saber-rattling. As I walked up to the door, this melody entered my head. This sound just grabbed me. It was tapping me and saying, 'Come with me.' What I heard was [sings], 'Did you hear 'em talking about it on the radio? 'And I heard that terrible, mournful sound that tugs at your heartstrings. I went right to my acoustic guitar. Something was pulling me, and it was so overwhelmingly sad. I sensed later it was a mother's mournful cry for her child. I started to write words that were just coming out of the sky. I didn't know what I was writing about until I wrote It's déjà vu all over again. And then I thought, 'My God, is that what this is about?' I was writing about the war that was coming and the unnecessary deaths that were gonna happen all over again. I was overcome with feeling that emotion. I guess I was guided there. I did not create that song. It was handed to me. Probably the only time that's ever happened."

Comments: 8

Chuck from Manassas Va.I would like to see John Fogerty Live in Concert at the Wolf Trap concert venue in the Va. suburbs in Aug of 2023. I would really Hope he performs "Centerfield" and "Deja Vu, All over Again", my 2 Favorite Songs by John Fogerty, I have the same birthday as John Fogerty and feel a Kindred Spirit to Him.
Gus from PaEerie song, but direct and painfully accurate. Too many mothers, and fathers, have watched their children march bravely off to fight yet another meaningless war that profits no one but The Complex. And now the same thing is happening in the Ukraine. Sadly, this doesn't seem to be a political statement as much as it is an economic one. Some wars, usually defensive in nature, are an ugly reminder of what must be done to defend our sovereignty. The Ukraine is not our country, not an area we ever pledged officially to defend, nor is it in NATO. We could have brokered a peace prior to the invasion but chose otherwise. And the results of our "policy"... tens of thousands of dead Ukrainians, Russians and civilians who will never see the sun shining again. So far American troops, officially, are not committed, but how many days left before that happens? Once again? Democrats, Republicans, conservatives, liberals are not the issue. If they would get together, honestly intent upon securing a peace, it could all end. In actual fact, this country is possibly the only country that has the clout to do so. But that won't happen. There is far too much money at stake. So, listen to Fogarty's lyrics and weep.
Bob from Southfield, MiJohn performed this song on the "Vote For Change" tour in 2004 with Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band.
Mark from Byrdstown, TnJohn Fogerty is the greatest rock and roll songwriter of all time.He plays this song at some of his shows while pictures from Vietnam and present day flash on the big screens.Fogerty also rips Bush a new one on his new album "Revival", an awesome piece of work.

If you ever get a chance to see Fogerty in concert -GO! He does almost 2 hours of total nonstop ass kicking rock all while running all over the stage and playing a half dozen different guitars....quite impressive for a man his age.
Zack Hodgson from Woodstock, GaFogerty is 100% right that this war is just as bad and similar to the Vietnam War.
John from Santa Cruz, Cathe vietnam and iraq wars are nothing alike, i am against both but you have to think about it-vietnam issued a draft and was for no gain to america, whereas iraq is a only those who enlisted and is for a financial gain
Ash from Charleston, WvOh, Mr. Fogerty is not the only one that believes that. Not by a long shot.
Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScI was born about 13 years after the Vietnam War took place, but from what I know about both wars, I agree with what is being said in this song.

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