Selena started recording the first song for the album, "I Could Fall in Love", in late 1994. Selena was partnered with major pop music producers, some of which were Grammy Award winners. Selena's sister Suzette Quintanilla stated that Selena would take a very long time before deciding on a song that was "Selena". However, SBK Records controlled the entire project and only allowed Selena to choose one song. This was because, SBK knew what they were doing for a crossover event. Recording sessions for the album took place at several recording studios, including: her father's Q-Productions studio in Corpus Christi; The Bennett House in Franklin, Tennessee; Bananaboat Studio in Burbank, California; Oakshire Recorders in Los Angeles; Conway Studios in Hollywood; Clinton Studios in Clinton, New York; and Levosia Entertainment in Hollywood. Producers and songwriters who worked with Selena on the album included Keith Thomas, Trey Lorenz of Epic Records, Mark Goldenberg, Kit Hain, Guy Roche, Donna Delorey, Diane Warren, Rhett Lawrence, David Byrne of Luaka Bop Inc., Franne Golde, Tom Snow, Full Force, Brian "Red" Moore, A.B. Quintanilla III Selena's brother, Barrio Boyzz, K.C. Porter, Felipe Bernmejo, Jose Hernandez and Felipe Valdes Leal. Singers, Amy Grant and Vanessa Williams were both in the process of writing a song for Selena. "Dreaming of You" was the first album that Selena's family did not produce. Her family had wanted professional pop producers to work with Selena. Selena found this decision stressful, and felt that it was forced on her in order to sell records.
Selena co-wrote with David Byrne, former lead singer of Talking Heads, for his gospel song "God's Child (Baila Conmigo)". Her vocals were later used in the song after Byrne recorded it in Clifton, New York. Selena's brother Quintanilla III and her husband Chris Perez did not like "Dreaming of You". They both later stated that they grew to love it after Selena was murdered. While being interviewed, Keith Thomas stated that every time Selena would walk in the recording studio that all eyes would be on her because of her smiles, energy, and eager to succeed, who made everyone laugh. Thomas also stated that there were no ego problems with her. Selena had recorded songs in late 1994 and had recorded a total of six songs by January 20, 1995. Selena was supposed to record "Oh No (I'll Never Fall in Love Again)" on the morning of March 31, 1995. However, she was killed on the same day by Yolanda Saldivar, a friend and ex-manager of her clothing stores. "Oh No" was later recorded in Spanish by her brother's band, Kumbia Kings, on their album "Amor, Familia y Respecto" (2009). Thomas, who wrote "I Could Fall in Love", never finished his second song that Selena was supposed to record and talked about the song while being interviewed for the A&E series "Biography" in 2008. In 2008, freestyle singer Brenda K. Starr, revealed that she was supposed to be in two unrecorded duets with Selena. In June 2011, Dominican American Latin soul singer TeCheetah Lopez was given a demo of "Love Me Now", which was supposed to be for Selena to record. "Love Me Now" was written by Christopher Troy and Zac Harmon. According to Behar, "Dreaming of You" was supposed to be released in September or October 1995. In April 1995, EMI Latin decided to only release four out of the six English-language songs Selena had recorded. The song "Siempre Hace Frio" was taken off of "Dreaming of You".
"I Could Fall in Love", the first promotional single, was written by Keith Thomas and is a soft rock, pop, R&B and soul. "I Could Fall in Love" is written in the key of E major and moves at a moderate 86 beats per minute. Selena's vocal range in the song spans four octaves with music notes F#3-A4. Its lyrics are about a woman who is in love with a guy who does not know about her true feelings for him. She tries to tell him, but is afraid of rejection, she decides not tell him. According to "The Billboard Book of Number One Albums", "I Could Fall in Love" was chosen as the "best song" off of "Dreaming of You" and "... could melt the hearts of millions around the world". Kathleen Tracy wrote that "I Could Fall in Love" and "Dreaming of You" are two hit "ballads". James Hunter of "Vibe" stated that he liked Selena's passion that she used to record "I Could Fall in Love". Hunter also stated that the song is a "masterpiece", while also stating that because of Selena's death, it was hard to listen to the song without crying. After Selena's death, "I Could Fall in Love" became a popular wedding song.
"Dreaming of You", the lead single, was written by Franne Golde and Tom Snow. "Dreaming of You" is a power ballad and contemporary R&B. The song's main instruments are the piano, wind chimes and funk bass. "Dreaming of You" is written in Ab major and begins in the key of G♯(Ab). It changes to the key of A♯(Bb) after the bridge. Selena's vocal range spans Eb3-Eb5. "The Los Angeles Times" ranked "Dreaming of You" number five from their "Top-ten Singles of 1995". Its lyrics are about a lonely and depressed woman in her room at night, who dreams of being with her boyfriend. The song begins with a low-key instrumentation, which provides emphasis for Selena's vocals. Geraldo Martinez of "El Dictamen" wrote that the opening of the song was "surprisingly tantalizing". "Dreaming of You" became Selena's signature song and was given positive feedback from music critics.
"I'm Getting Used to You", the second promotional single, was written by Diane Warren and was produced by Rhett Lawrence. Four dance mixes were remixed by David Morales, which were created for promotional use. "I'm Getting Used to You" is a baroque- and dream-pop song and is written in the key of F major. Because of the music's easy piano notes it was included in the "Top Pop Hits of 1996 for Easy Piano" book. Its lyrics are about a woman who does not know what love is and her boyfriend tries to help her understand by "opening her eyes" to true love.
"Captive Heart", is a synthpop, electro and fast rock song. "Captive Heart" is an uptemo song written by Kit Hain. It was released as the album's first promotional single in the United Kingdom. Its lyrics are about a woman being controlled by her partner who will not let her be free of her own emotions. She is unable to end the relationship because she is too in love with him. Ed Morales of "Vibe" compared both Evelyn "Champagne" King and "Wherever You Are" (the English version of "Donde Quiera Que Estes") with "Captive Heart". According to the "Chicago Tribune" "Captive Heart" was the right song for urban-contemporary radios. The "Daily Vault" believed Selena made a mistake with "Captive Heart" because she had used too much "throat" in the song.
"God's Child (Baila Conmigo)", a duet with David Byrne, was originally recorded for the "Don Juan DeMarco" soundtrack. After Selena was murdered, EMI Latin decided to use the song for "Dreaming of You". Byrne recorded his parts in New York, while Selena recorded her verse in Corpus Christi, Texas, at her father's recording studio. "God's Child" was later used for the "Blue in The Face" soundtrack. According to the "Chicago Tribune", "God's Child (Baila Conmigo)", is an "energetic, dark and mysterious" song. They also stated that the song is a rumba flamenco with rock and R&B. Christopher John Farley of "Time" stated that the song is a " ... giddy soulful song".