The ubiquitous playing of "God Save the Queen" at these Olympics has Britons questioning the worth of their anthem.

I've always found it a strong, effortlessly singable melody — and blessedly short compared to most countries' militaristic rambles — regardless of whether you go for the 18th-century royalist lyrics or Samuel Francis Smith's 19th-century adaptation into "America," or "My Country, 'Tis of Thee."

But some opinion-makers think Britain can do better, pointing to several beloved patriotic tunes such as Hubert Parry's "Jerusalem" or "I Vow to Thee, My Country" by Gustav Holst.

Other anthems more lustily sung include Edward Elgar's "Land of Hope and Glory" and, though its Victorian celebration of empire is hopelessly outdated, the ferocious "Rule Britannia."

English musicologist Alisun Pawley finds "God Save the Queen" deficient as a crowd-pleaser because it lacks a "climax where people feel compelled to join in or belt it out."

She has conducted research in dozens of English pubs and clubs — tough job, that — to identify the song most likely to inspire a sing-along.

The winner? Queen's "We Are the Champions."

—Shawn Pogatchnik — Twitter http://twitter.com/ShawnPogatchnik

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EDITOR'S NOTE — "Eyes on London" shows you the Olympics through the eyes of Associated Press journalists across the 2012 Olympic city and around the world. Follow them on Twitter where available with the handles listed after each item.