How do you find the right emotional tone for a song when you're recording vocals for a new project?

When it comes to finding a suitable emotional tone for a song while recording vocals, I often read the lyrics a few times, and I also sing the song for a while until I fully understand which is the feeling taking place on me, trying to visualize some past situation I've been through where I have felt this way.

Once I put my whole emotional world in perspective, the way I pronounce words, tempo, nuances, and even runs or technique stuff, completely changes in a direction where it feels way more natural and soulful, coming from a genuine place extremely related to the expressive and healing power that I feel the craft of singing has.

Overall, trying to connect with the meaning and music of the song from a truly honest and sincere perspective is the way for me! After all, our voices reflect our experiences and emotions and being true to one's experiences is the best way to connect with the listener!

Hi there! When I approach a song, I listen to it multiple times along with the lyrics, trying to fully grasp its meaning and mood. I treat the song as if it were my own, even if it’s not.
From there, I start recording and continue until I achieve the exact result I’m looking for. To me, emotional expression is just as important as pitch and rhythm—it’s what truly brings a performance to life.
When working on songs that aren’t mine, I make sure to communicate closely with the client to understand their vision, although I find that careful listening often reveals everything I need to know. It’s a process that blends intuition with technical precision, and it’s always worth it!

This a great question to me, because I am currently working on a new project, and my voice has changed tremendously! I am a perfectionist, and it's not always easy critiquing myself. 

I think the best way (this is what I am currently doing) is to try different types of songs. I will sample different emotional ranges to see what speaks to my heart of hearts and compare it to the project that I am working on.  When I find the right sample that comes close to my project I know I am on the right track.

Professional Singer and Songwriter here.

I'd say the best way is by trial and error. You need to get in "character" when you're recording the song so the first thing you should do is figure out what character that is. Is it a sad song? Try a solemn tone. Is it a dance song? Try printing an energetic vibe to your vocals.

Record yourself trying different things and then decide which one you liked best. Then just focus on staying "in character" through the recording and you're all set.

If the client gives me free hand, I usually record the main lead vocals 3 times in different ways. So I have 3 options, emotions, styles, voice colors. Some songs need power, others need a gentle, breathy voice, and others need both together. Playing around and keeping the customer updated is the key to me. Communication about the process and voice ideas make the project become perfect. 

It's very important to communicate with the client to understand his vision for the project and listen to the song references that he provides to get on the same page about what kind of sound he would like to hear at the end. Then I listen to the song, instrumental and rehearse the song a couple times to find the best vocal tone for the specific project. And only after that I start vocals recording.

The first step is to ask the client if they have a specific vocal style in mind, ideally referencing a popular song that they’d like me to emulate. If they prefer to leave the creative direction to me, I’ll draw inspiration from the lyrics and the mood of the instrumental. Having this conversation upfront ensures that my interpretation aligns with their expectations and delivers exactly what they’re looking for.

If you are having a hard time finding the right emotion, read through the lyrics and really think about the meaning and what the writer wants to deliver. While performing, you could try to jump in to the boots of an actor, try to be 50% actor and 50% vocalist. Really put yourself in the role of a protagonist, or if the lyrics are more descriptive in nature, try to act out the events.