With a very few exceptions, I think the cover should combine the original's vision with that of the covering artist. Your choices for comparison here are quite good.
Of the covers I know here, I agree with your leaning toward the newer over the original (I've liked all the Volbeat songs I've heard, and I'm not a big fan of the genre). I didn't know the Ramones' song, and I was prepared to dislike it, at least relatively, but it's at least the equal--tons of fun.
Probably my favorite cover is Rose Melberg's delicate take on the Beatles' "I Will."
Second favorite: Billy May's version of The Toys' Lover's Concerto (which itself is a kind of cover).
Original original: https://youtu.be/9W6RrBBZOQo
Original cover: https://youtu.be/FmJ1AqtTuyo
Billy May: https://youtu.be/A4X4yEXtlkg
