Analyzing Rhonda

This morning we will discuss not only the importance of pronunciation as well as imagery differentiation but also the contrasts between inner/outer monologue through analysis of classic Beach Boy song "Help Me, Rhonda".

First of all pronunciation.

The narrator seems to be indicating that there have been "owls puking on his head" which is literally unlikely but figuratively suggestive of a very shaky, avian obsessed, Norman Bates state of mind.

Of course, the speaker may be saying/thinking something else entirely but in the end we are often judged by what the listener thinks we say rather than what we really say. The responsibility for clear expression is on us, every time we speak.  

Not every listener is interested enough to say "what are you saying" or more specifically "You've got owls puking on your head? WTF" which gives us a chance to clarify.  

Meanwhile,as readers, we are left with the question as to whether this whole monologue is inner or outer directed as we have no quotation marks to guide us in any way.
If the monologue is outer and the pronunciation unclarified, then the listener...apparently "Rhonda" might very well take the proposition as totally inappropriate and indicative of what might be interpreted as a pathetic, all about me attempt at some form of sexual demand that won't take "much time" based on the speaker being shot down by his former girl friend. This is rebound, live in the past sexual healing at its most self absorbed, chauvinistic and probably drunken level.  

This sounds more like Mike Love than Brian Wilson.  

If, on the other hand, the monologue is internal...the situation is infinitely more Wilsonian: sympathetic and introspective which lends more credence to the "owls puking on my head" reference as metaphoric imagery. A shy, heartbroken human hoping to ease his pain momentarily with a fleeting,straw grasping,disorganized thought clearly expressed
Vive le difference.  

So, I hope we have cleared up the difference between internal and external monologue as well as the importance of quotation marks and the critical difference between figurative and literal based on the differentiation between the internal and the external.
Perhaps at a later date, we can revisit this perplexity through examination of Jimi Hendrix saying or not saying "excuse me while I kiss this guy" in Purple Haze.