‘Hippies & Gypsies’ by Alyssa Bonagura review
- Gary @ BootsofUK
- 23. feb.
- 4 min lesing
Oppdatert: 26. feb.
Alyssa, is a songwriter, producer and multi-talented instrumentalist born and raised in Franklin, Tennessee, United States, although having spent three years in England this helped inspire her full length debut album ‘The English Diaries’ in 2010.
Currently touring the UK supporting her friend Kezia Gill on her ‘All on Red’ tour, she has helped produce Kezia’s album of the same name. Alyssa is also bringing new music of her own. ‘Hippies & Gypsies’ released 20th February 2026, is the first single off of her upcoming album “America’s Backroads” due for release in June of this year.
Written about 10 years ago with her dear friends Jeffrey Steele and David Naish it draws on her gypsy lifestyle. Documenting the time she found a rare guitar in 2014 whilst on the road with her Dad from a pawn shop, the song has undertones of double meaning that makes it relevant and relatable to us all.
“I pulled off the road in somewhere South Dakota,
To fill up the Bronco with gas,
Bought a bottle of water, a map of Montana,
I thought I’d be out of there fast.”
At face value, the song is talking literally being on a journey and stopping to refuel and collect goods, yet it’s the perfect metaphor for our lives. Every now and again it is essential that we all stop and take stock of our lives, refuelling mind, body and spirit. It speaks of having intentions of doing things with pace, yet there is greater beauty when taking our time allowing us to see more details, and appreciate our surroundings and loved ones more.
“Next door was a store called Hippies and Gypsies,
Treasures and forgotten things,
So I walked inside and I stepped back in time and thought “I’m right where I’m supposed to be”
This verse speaks to the close associations in our lives, ‘next door’ isn’t always literally but usually imminently. “Treasures and forgotten things” is a beautiful way of describing our mind and memories as much as the material goods and keepsakes we hold into. Sometimes these items can evoke memories that transport us back to that precious time, but also can help to re-centre us, reminding us of our purpose and that we’re “right where I’m supposed to be”.
“A guitar on the wall was the first thing I saw,
Lonely and looking at me.
And the man at the counter said “If I take it down, would you take time to tune up the strings.”
Personally, I see the guitar as being personified, it’s emulating ourselves in that moment. Lonely and waiting for the magic touch of someone who loves and appreciates you for all your beauty, whilst also helping us to tune our stings so that our music, our story in life continues. “Take time to tune up” is also a reminder that self reflection is never a quick fix and if we want the beautiful sound to play, with give it the time and patience it deserves.
“Cause most people are too in a hurry to enjoy the journey, destination unknown.
It’s all about everything, nothing’s worth anything, until you make it your own.”
The chorus holds such a powerful message in that “most people are too in a hurry to enjoy the journey” despite the “destination unknown”. Often we can find ourselves high up the chain of command in a job, high flying, yet when we reflect the preceding days, months and years we often struggle to remember them. Being able to “enjoy the journey” means that we are grounded and humble. Whilst that’s not to say we shouldn’t be ambitious and career hungry, just simply remember who we are and why are we here? “Nothing’s worth anything, until you make it your own.” Is a very striking lyric and serves to contextualise everything around us. We put the value on our abilities, and this reflects our self worth and confidence.
“So I started to play, and by the look on his face I could tell that times had been tough
He said “I know it’s worth more than I’m selling it for but it’s just been gathering dust.”
Whilst the lyric speaks to the music of the guitar being played, it emphasises the meaning music has on our lives. Equally, if the guitar is a metaphor for our life, then as we go through life happy, fulfilled and content, our music can uplift and inspire, as much as it can symbolise dark and troubled moments. Again speaking to placing value, if this were our lives, then the dust can represent us becoming stagnant or complacent and not being able to fully flourish ourselves and have a wide reaching influence.
“He said he’d take cash, he took all I had but I am sure glad that I passed through.
And he said “Yeah, I’m glad you did too”
This is a powerful message too, ensuring that we give our all in life, and the satisfaction knowing that we’ve not restricted ourselves and our ability in achieving success in whatever form it’s measured.
The song returns to the chorus, again reminding us to look up, as much as looking in. Self reflection and self awareness are very important in life. If we are aware of these then we can be aware of the matters that need addressing, be that aspirationally, or personally.
“I pulled off the road in somewhere South Dakota,
To fill up the Bronco with gas,
Bought a bottle of water, a map of Montana,
I thought I’d be out of there fast.”
Once again there is this running theme of taking breaks. It’s ok if we have to deviate from our path in life, if only to refuel and reinvigorate ourselves and to refocus on our purpose.
The song returns once again to the chorus to further embed the ideology that we need to slow down and enjoy the view in life as quite often the “destination unknown”. Life isn’t always about the destination, but the roads we travel and memories we make to get there.
Released 20th February 2026, the song is available for downloading and streaming right now from your favoured music platform with the album “America’s Backroads” becoming available in June. Make sure to check out Alyssa whilst she’s on tour, and keep up to date by following her social media and by joining her mailing list.
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