One line in the song, "supposed former infatuation junkie", inspired its album's title.

"So Pure" failed to chart on the US Billboard Hot 100 and performed moderately in the United Kingdom, where it reached the top 40.

In 2000, the song was nominated for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance at the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards but lost to Sheryl Crow's live version of "There Goes the Neighborhood", which original version was already nominated in the same category in 1999, but lost to "Uninvited" by Morissette.

[citation needed] The single's video, directed by Morissette, featured her and (then boyfriend) actor Dash Mihok as dance partners transitioning through time and style, from ballroom to salsa, swing, tap, contemporary and rave.

The video world-premiered on AOL on June 25, 1999, and was the first from a major artist to debut on the internet.