Why “Pure Shores” is one of the best songs of all time

I mainly listen to rock and electronic music. To be more precise, I listen to bands like The Kills, Siouxsie and The Banshees, Joy Division, Royal Blood, Foals… but also to DJs like Paul Kalkbrenner, Giorgio Moroder and Daft Punk.
However, there’s an incredible song that I’ve been listening to since 2000, and that’s very different from the music I mentioned earlier: ‘Pure Shores’, by the English band All Saints.

I discovered it when the film “The Beach” came out, because it had been written for it. I remember enjoying the film, but I liked this song even more as it was wonderful and full of meaning. I remember listening to it over and over again.
Here’s the link to the video clip, if you want to know what I’m talking about.

If you listen to it, you can hear that the voices, the harmonies and the music create something which is both ethereal and powerful. When I listen to it, I feel ready to do whatever I want. In fact, this song can both make you dream and do what it takes to get what you want.
And the lyrics underline this idea even more. Here’s an extract:

“I’ve crossed deserts for miles
Swam water for time
Searching places to find
A piece of something to call mine (I’m coming)
A piece of something to call mine (I’m coming)
Coming closer to you

Ran along many moors
Walked through many doors
The place where I want to be
Is the place I can call mine (I’m coming)
Is the place I can call mine (I’m coming)
Coming closer to you”

I think this song has two meanings:
- it is literally about finding your corner of paradise, the one where you’re really happy and yourself (mine is Brighton),
- but above all it’s about finding your inner peace, reaching a point in your life where you feel at peace despite everything that’s stood in your way. It’s about contemplating your life and realising what makes it good and worthwhile.
What’s more, both meanings seem to match the story depicted in the film.

I’m not one to try and impose my tastes, but for this song, I can’t help thinking that it should be recognised as one of the best songs ever because of the way it makes people feel. For some, it brings back a lot of memories. That’s not my case, but I still understand them. It’s one of those songs that can easily be associated with special moments. You could say it will never get old.
The strange thing is that I’ve listened to other songs by this band, and none have moved me as much as this one.

I don’t know if you’ll agree with me, and if you don’t, please tell me why. Either way, I think I want this song to be played at my funeral, and hopefully I’ll have found “the place I can call mine” by then. No other music has touched me so much. I was 12 when it came out, I’m now 36 and I can tell you I’ll never tire of this incredible, breathtaking song.