Polar Bear Club were a punk rock/post-hardcore band from Rochester and Syra… Read Full Bio ↴Polar Bear Club were a punk rock/post-hardcore band from Rochester and Syracuse, New York. A demo released in 2005 brought them much attention, and was a precursor to their first EP, The Redder, the Better, released in Summer 2006 on Triple Attack and Luchador Records. The EP contained catchy, pop-punk songs with lots of of opportunities for energetic sing-a-longs, and was found to be a fan and zine favorite throughout the year.

The band's debut full-length, Sometimes Things Just Disappear was released in March 2008, also receiving glowing reviews from an even wider number of webzines and great reception from their rapidly growing fanbase. Appearances in "best of" lists followed, as well as tours with The Gaslight Anthem, American Steel, Crime in Stereo, A Wilhelm Scream and Cancer Bats, leading to the band's signing to Bridge Nine Records, officially announced on January 8, 2009. The label at the same time announced they would issue Sometimes Things Just Disappear on vinyl sometime during spring.

In February/March 2009, the band toured the UK and Europe with The Gaslight Anthem and Frank Turner, with a small string of UK headlining dates subsequent to the tour. During the European visit, they announced plans to return for a US tour with labelmates Have Heart. They also announced that they were to start work on a new album, to be produced by Matt Bayles.

On May 28, 2009, the title and release date of the bands second full-length, Chasing Hamburg was announced in a press release. In compliance to the press release, the album was released on the previously announced date through Bridge Nine Records on both 12" vinyl and CD.

Light of Local Eyes
Polar Bear Club Lyrics

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The glow of gray, it lights the rain on borough streets
And the kids who stayed, they aren't holding out for their apology
Days like today make reconcile seem far away
But I hold old memories like a kid who laughs hard and grabs his ribs

There was a time when this city shined
The lights in the parking lots would lead us through the night and to sunrise
There was no place that we didn't own or deface

The grooves in the road would spark for us but that book's covered in dust

The local kid I was to all my older friends
I held convictions like a stubborn door with a rusted hinge
I sat down and thought, what of here makes me proud?
Proud to not dismiss this place and hold it all from gold to gray

There was a time when this city shined
The lights in the parking lots would lead us through the night and to sunrise
There was no place that we didn't own or deface
The grooves in the road would spark for us but that memory will rust

It'll rust and fade away, it'll sour these days
The rainy streets, they shine tonight
We lived life out of this place
We wore its map on our faces

When this city shined
To say the least we left our trace
Burned off the tips of our laces

When this city shined
When this city shined

From the light of local eyes
From the light of local eyes

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Polar Bear Club's "Light of Local Eyes" describe a city that has lost its luster, as seen through the eyes of those who grew up there. The opening lines establish the dreary atmosphere of the borough streets, with rain adding to the dull glow of gray. Despite the bleak surroundings, the kids who stayed do not hold out for an apology. This suggests a sense of loyalty and acceptance of the city's flaws, indicating that it is home and they are not looking to leave.

The second verse mentions a time when the city shined, and the lights in parking lots were a beacon, guiding them through the night to sunrise. At that time, they felt a sense of ownership and recklessness, defacing parts of the city that were theirs. However, the groove they left on the road has since been covered in dust, indicating both the passage of time and perhaps a loss of interest in their youthful exploits.

The chorus brings together the past and present, with memories of the time when they felt at home in the city now counterbalanced by the dullness of current life. The rain, which lit up the streets before, now only sour the days. The song ends by harking back to the glory days, when the city shined, and they left their trace on it.

Overall, "Light of Local Eyes" is a nostalgic ode to a city that has changed over time, and the conflicting feelings of pride, disappointment, and acceptance that come with such changes.

Line by Line Meaning

The glow of gray, it lights the rain on borough streets
The dullness of the city lights up the rainy streets, creating a somber mood

And the kids who stayed, they aren't holding out for their apology
Those who remained in this city aren't waiting for an apology or any form of redemption

Days like today make reconcile seem far away
Certain kinds of days make it seem like the possibility of reconciliation or change is far from achievable

But I hold old memories like a kid who laughs hard and grabs his ribs
The memories of the past are so cherished that recalling them evokes the feeling of intense laughter and joy

There was a time when this city shined
This city used to have a bright future

The lights in the parking lots would lead us through the night and to sunrise
The city lights would guide people through the night until morning

There was no place that we didn't own or deface
People had a sense of ownership over every part of the city, and would frequently mark their territory

The grooves in the road would spark for us but that book's covered in dust
The sparks created by activity on the roads now seem like a distant memory, since they have been left untouched for so long

The local kid I was to all my older friends
The artist was always seen as the young kid among a group of older friends

I held convictions like a stubborn door with a rusted hinge
The artist held onto certain beliefs, even though they were hard to express and had become difficult and rusty with time

I sat down and thought, what of here makes me proud?
The singer took time to reflect on what this city had to offer which made him feel proud

Proud to not dismiss this place and hold it all from gold to gray
The artist felt proud of not ignoring this city, and embracing both its positive aspects and negative aspects

It'll rust and fade away, it'll sour these days
The memories of the past won't last forever, and eventually they will become less vibrant and positive

The rainy streets, they shine tonight
The bright lights of the city illuminate the dark, rainy streets

We lived life out of this place
This city was the center of the singer's life, and defined their experiences

We wore its map on our faces
The city left a lasting impression on the people who grew up there, and they carried its markings and memories with them wherever they went

From the light of local eyes
The memories and experiences of living in this city are specific to the people who grew up there, as they have a unique perspective

Contributed by Annabelle Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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