"American Guilt" by Unknown Mortal Orchestra explores themes of surveillance, guilt, and the American identity. The song starts with the lyrics "Tape over the camera, no more utopian videos" which suggests a desire to protect one's privacy and escape from the constantly monitored world. The repetition of "Oh... no!" emphasizes a sense of dread or impending doom, possibly referring to the consequences of living in a surveillance society. The line "Oh no here it comes the American guilt" suggests that the song is critical of the guilt often associated with American culture. The lyrics also touch on the notion of expensive living and the privatization of history. The line "Land of the expensive, even the Nazis are crying, history's private property" portrays a criticism of capitalism and the commercialization of historical events. The phrase "Viva la Mexico" is repeated throughout the song, which could be interpreted as a call to embrace an alternative perspective or escape the constraints of the American identity. Overall, the song seems to reflect on the loss of privacy, the burden of guilt, and the complex nature of American society. It may be a critique of the surveillance culture and the commodification of history, calling for a reassessment of American values.
