Tony,
I think that’s great that you’re hearing something else in your head and choosing to play it that way.
I’d go with how you’re hearing it in your head. A lot of those little details are more personal preference so if you’re hearing the melody a certain way in your head you should follow that.
If at some point in the future you want to try syncopating it, it will likely be easier when you’ve got the straight version really dialed in.
– Mike