I usually say something to introduce a song, and appreciate it when others do too. What I like less is when the singer (usually a guitarist) spends ages telling jokes that have nothing to do with any of the songs, just while he noodles and retunes. I'd rather he just tuned up faster and got on with it.

A good introduction doesn't need to be very learned - it's often worthwhile to hear something about where the song comes from, etc, but it can be just as interesting to know what it is about the song that has made the singer choose it (the tune? the story? certain lines or phrases? an unforgettable version by someone else?).

If it's a song with a story, it's worth alerting the audience to this and perhaps giving them something to listen out for, e.g. "This is what can happen if you sleep with the boss's wife!" I also like the way Spiers and Boden introduce one of their ballads by asking the audience to imagine certain celebrities playing the leading characters. Any little touch like that helps the audience to focus on the story, so they'll enjoy the song more - but don't tell the whole story, that's what the song is supposed to do.

Marje