The absolutely best thing about this song is that the live and studio versions fit almost opposite moods - the one that The Cult plays in their first record is calm, and I can almost see those barren plains from the car's windows if I close my eyes.
An endless, sweet darkness.
The live version (from the concert double record) delivers, to the contrary more of an apocalyptic sound, as if the travelers knew from the beginning that their fate is doomed.