Yes if they write good songs. I respect artists like Taylor Swift, Ne-Yo & Gaga. I'm still on the fence with Chris Brown, though, but aside from him, a lot of good artists write their own material, and most of it is really good because they know what's good.

Definitely yes, it mean the lyrics are more meaningful to the artist imo and is as good a skill a being a great performer

No, if a singer sings a song with conviction it´s fine by me. Just because you didn´t write it, doesn´t mean you don´t connect with the material. Of course it´s good if an artist tries to develop that writing skill, but why not record a great song if someone else wrote it? But, on the other hand, you need at least be involved with the album making process, and not just have some producer throw all the songs to you for you to record.

Yes. Ke$ha is a good example of this for me...I have respect for her solely because of her songwriting, she writes hit songs not only for herself but for other artists. That takes talent imo, even if the songs aren't deep or whatever, she's writing them hits and not everybody can do that. If she didn't write songs I probably would have no respect for her at all.

Yes, it shows more talent and it shows they're more involved in what they're doing.

Yes. I think it's necessary to at least be the main writer, even if there are co-writers. Lyrics are so important to me. If I'm going to listen to someone sing something I want it to be something they really mean, from his or her heart. If you don't write your own songs you might as well be a cover artist.

I still respect some artist if they don't,but i feel closer to the ones that do. When you write music,It comes from your soul,your thoughts,your feelings(experience)..No one else's.I mean It can be argued that if someone writes a song for that said artist and they intepret it with a lot of emotion, then It's still good because they maybe put their own unique spin on it... Though at the end of the day It's truly never YOUR words or own creativeness.

I think it shows deeper talent too,instead of being a hit mahcine sinigng songs continually being pumped out by others and not having much say so.

No. Some of the best artists and musicians were and are song stylists and interpreters.