"Pure Shores" received acclaim from music critics, who praised the production, lyrics and vocals and has featured on several best-song lists. The song was also a commercial success worldwide, entering the UK Singles Chart at number one, where it remained for two weeks. It achieved worldwide success, topping the charts in Belgium (Wallonia), Ireland, Italy and Romania and also reaching the top ten in countries including Australia, Finland, France, Iceland, Japan, New Zealand, Norway and Sweden. It became the second most successful single of 2000 in the United Kingdom, selling a total of 815,000 copies there and received multiple certifications in other countries.