The only theoretical test would be to have all of Swifts songs, recorded by say, Carrie Underwood, without anyone knowing who Swift was, and if it were her songwriting, you would expect Underwood to be as big as Swift, or even bigger because she is lights out a better singer, and looks like the all American girl.

My hunch is she would not enjoy the same success. Its TAYLOR SWIFT the fans like. But thats true about most famous artists, it's the person, they see themselves up there.

But it doesn't solve the songwriting and music thing, and since our job is to write songs, what the hell are we shooting at?