Final answer:
The main criticism of "The Star-Spangled Banner" is its wide vocal range, which makes it difficult for many people to sing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The leading criticism of "The Star-Spangled Banner" is that it is too difficult to sing because of its wide vocal range. The tune, originally set to the British song called "The Anacreontic Song", requires a vocal range that spans an octave and a half. This makes it challenging for many people to sing confidently without straining their voice. Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the poem "In Defense of Fort McHenry" after witnessing the American flag still waving following the British bombardment of Baltimore's Fort McHenry in 1814. The text, rich with imagery and patriotism, became what we now know as "The Star-Spangled Banner" and was officially adopted as the U.S. national anthem much later.