Paul McCartney has the same issue. He and the rest of the Beatles sold their songs early in their career. In doing so they were promoted far above other groups because their production company was making so much money off the songs. They would never have gotten that early promotion without selling their songs. Paul has never been able to buy those songs back. Not because they haven’t been for sale. But because the price is very high, and he doesn’t want to pay the price.
Taylor is the same. She is not that much more talented than most of the other current artists. But she has been highly promoted because she sold her song masters to her production company. That’s why she does so many concerts. She makes her wealth on the concerts and the song writer’s royalties. But she doesn’t get payed for the masters when they are played on radio or streamed. She can always offer to buy them. But the production company has a right to say no until she makes an offer that they want. Taylor and her very savvy parents always knew the deal and benefited hugely from the deal. But now she wants out. Sorry, Taylor, you have been paid. If you want your songs, you will have to pay a lot for them.
It is my understanding that she receives royalties through ASCAP every time one of her songs are played.
It’s about publishing rights and literal control. She is only barely less wealthy because of this. And Sir Paul is not going hungry any day, unless he wants to.
She is not that much more talented than most of the other current artists.