Rip That Mirror Off is a song I wrote for my stepdaughter during one of the biggest transitions of her life. We encouraged her to move away (unpopular opinion), start new, and build the future she deserves, but letting go of home isn’t easy, especially when you’ve lived through storms that try to follow you wherever you go.

I wanted her to know that the past doesn’t get to define her future. The mistakes, the heartbreak, the scars… they’re chapters, not cages. This song is about cutting the rearview mirror off completely, not so you forget where you came from, but so you don’t get stuck staring back when the road ahead is wide open.

The idea came from a tattoo, honestly: a rearview mirror with the Sutter Buttes reflected in it. Something about that image hit me hard, the way we cling to what’s familiar even when it hurts, and how freedom sometimes means breaking your own attachment to the place that shaped you.

This song is my reminder to her:
Don’t let old ghosts steer your future.
Don’t let fear drag behind you like chains.
You are allowed to start clean. You are allowed to move on.
And you’re stronger than anything you’re leaving behind.

This is Rip That Mirror Off.
A push forward.
A clean slate.
A reminder that the brightest days are always in front of you.

Rip That Mirror Off

I make music the same way I approach everything in life: with intention, curiosity, and a drive to keep learning. After all, I’m just here getting stuff out of my head and off my heart.

This space is where I experiment, explore new sounds, and share what inspires me. If you’re here, I hope you find something that connects, something that hits at the right moment, or simply something that makes your day a little better. Thanks for listening and being part of the journey.

Rip That Mirror Off

Chris Harp