Single molecule Raman spectroscopy provides information on individual molecules with vibrational-level resolution. The unique mechanisms leading to the huge Raman cross-section enhancement necessary for single molecule sensitivity are under intense investigation in several laboratories. We recently analyzed large spectral fluctuations in single molecule spectra of rhodamine 6G on silver surfaces (A. Weiss and G. Haran, J. Phys. Chem. B (2001), 105, 12348-12354). The appearance of the fluctuations in two particular vibrational bands, and their dependence on several parameters, suggested that they originate in a charge transfer interaction of an adsorbed molecule with the surface. We argued that the fluctuations are due to variations of the local work function at the position of the molecule. In the current paper the fluctuations are further analyzed in terms of the intensity ratio between a fluctuating and a quiescent band, and it is found that the distribution of this ratio is independent of laser power, unlike the correlation time of the fluctuations. Weshow that a simple model, based on the energetics of charge transfer, can be used to extract the local work function distribution from the intensity ratio distribution. In a second experiment, single molecule spectra are collected from colloids immersed in water and in glycerol and a threefold decrease in fluctuation rate is found in the more viscous fluid. This indicates that surface dynamics are indeed responsible for the fluctuations, involving the motion of the adsorbed molecule and possibly also that of surface silver atoms around it. _______________________________________________________ 3 The spectroscopy of single molecules opens up new opportunities for the analysis of molecular dynamics. Much of the single molecule spectroscopy field is involved with fluorescence measurements. However, fluorescence is limited as a source of spectroscopic information on molecules, especially at room temperatures, where fluorescence spectral lines are broad and featureless. Thus, Raman spectroscopy is a very welcome addition to the arsenal of methods aimed at studying individual molecules. The large scattering cross section required for the detection of Raman signals from single molecules is attained through surface enhancement. A judicious application of this technique must rely on a thorough understanding of the mechanism of this enhancement. Surprisingly, even after more than 25 years of intense research into the phenomenon of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), many basic questions still remain unexplained. In fact, single molecule studies might reflect back on the SERS field by teaching us new facts and providing fresh explanations. This paper is opened with a discussion of current thinking on the microscopic processes leading to the huge scattering enhancement observed in single molecule Raman measurements. Our own recent work, in which we studied fluctuations in Raman spectra of individual rhodamine 6G (R6G) molecules on silver colloidal nanoparticles, is re...