First time I am on a masterPRIECE!!! Exciting. As shit. That cover looked real nice. Gay, but nice. I don't know who this fucken Ivan guy is but he's obviously ok as an artist, huh?
I think there are exceptions, there are sometimes people who improve the cover song quite a lot in their new version.
On the other hand, doing a cover means that the original must be somewhat good in its structure, or it would not survive all the changes and still be recognizable; and covers are usually done of quite eternal and well-known-songs, or if not well-known songs, then the band is well-known.So that speaks for the suggestion that the original is best anyways.
Quite often I have the case that I like the song, but I just wish it were more metal - especially all those everlasting pop-songs - so covers by people like Dan are very welcome.