From the sound of it, Brad Paisley is getting serious for his next album.

The affable singer-songwriter has used his witty wordplay and sense of humor to great effect in many of his songs, but his new single, "Today," emphasizes the more earnest side of his personality, more in line with past hits including "He Didn't Have to Be," Letter to Me" and "This Is Country Music."

"Today" exhorts the listener to seize the day.

"I don’t know about tomorrow / But right now the whole world feels right / And the memory of a day like today / Can get you through the rest of your life," Paisley sings in the chorus.

Like so many of Paisley's best, most impactful songs, "Today" seems to draw from his personal life, and especially his marriage to Kimberly Williams-Paisley. The song celebrates the love they have in the present, but also looks forward to them growing old together and still being just as in love.

Paisley delivers a strong vocal in the lower and middle part of his range, and exploits the higher reaches of his voice for a very effective bridge. Framed by simple piano and mandolin, "Today" features the inimitable guitar playing that always makes his records unique, but he draws back enough so that flashy playing doesn't overpower either the lyrics or his vocal performance.

Did You Know?: Paisley co-wrote "Today" with Chris Dubois and Ashley Gorley, with whom he also collaborated on "Then."

Listen to Brad Paisley, "Today" 

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Brad Paisley, "Today" Lyrics:

"When I’m sittin’ in traffic some afternoon / Or bored to death in some waiting room / Well I’m gonna close my eyes and picture you / Today / You keep brushin’ that hair back outta your eyes / And it just keeps fallin’ and so do I / Well I’m feelin’ like the luckiest man alive / Today."

"I don’t know about tomorrow / But right now the whole world feels right / And the memory of a day like today / Can get you through the rest of your life."

"Well I know it won’t always be like this / Life can change as quick as a kiss / It’s not over yet and I already miss / Today."

"And as the seasons change and time goes by / When your hair is grey and so is mine / I know for sure that you’re gonna be just as beautiful / As you are to me today."

"Bring on tomorrow, I’ve got today / Bring on tomorrow, I’ve got today / Bring on tomorrow, right now the whole world is right / Bring on tomorrow."

"Because the memory of a day like today / Can get you through the rest of your life."