+1, @onhwy61
You beat me to it…IME, we really don’t…not with absolute certainty. There’s just too many variables at play.
IMHO, you’ll never know exactly what the artist or recording engineer intended. But you can strive to build a system and environment that prioritizes transparency, emotion and engagement with music and that might be as close as any of us can reasonably get.
In any case, I’m happy for OP; enjoy every moment of your new found bliss!