Rational Ignorance and the National Anthem

Jeep has launched a public education/product promotion campaign aimed at teaching Americans the words of their national anthem, which a recent Harris poll indicated two-thirds of us do not know. I'm inclined to think the problem is not the public's laziness so much as the song's crappiness. As many Americans have noted over the years, The Star-Spangled Banner is virtually unsingable, with an overly demanding range and awkward lyrics that verge on idolatry. Almost any of the patriotic ditties that sometimes take its place (America the Beautiful, God Bless America, even Neil Diamond's Coming to America) is catchier, more meaningful, or both. Jeep should be lobbying for a new national anthem instead of promoting one that's so bad Americans prefer to remain ignorant of the lyrics so they have an excuse not to sing it.