Russell Mael: If you could revise one chapter of your past, what would you change? — FLAPSS

The question

If you could revise one chapter of your past, what would you change?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

Repeated verbatim in The Guardian's long-running Saturday Q&A; two publisher-hosted examples establish recurrence.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

RM

Russell Mael

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

That Sparks predates the Beatles and it’s kind of all too obvious where they got a lot of their inspiration.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 24 May 2025 source ↗

Others on this question

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I would have partied a little bit harder in my 20s.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 November 2023 source ↗

Gregg Wallace English broadcaster and writer

I wouldn’t marry anybody until I met Anna.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 9 April 2022 source ↗

I’d be happier being myself younger.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 May 2026 source ↗

A few haircuts.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 December 2024 source ↗

More from Russell Mael

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Question When were you most embarrassed? Failure & regret

Signing away the rights to my life story to a major motion-picture company for a sum that I have since been told was way below the market rate.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 24 May 2025 source ↗

Question What accomplishment matters most to you? Craft & work

Watching all of Fellini’s movies one summer.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 24 May 2025 source ↗

Question What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you? Failure & regret

Is that the final mix?

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 24 May 2025 source ↗

Question What is the worst job you have ever had? Craft & work

Shucking oysters one summer in Nice.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 24 May 2025 source ↗

Question As a child, what career or life did you imagine for yourself? Identity & self

A pearl diver in Japan.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 24 May 2025 source ↗

Question What do you believe happens when we die? Death & what remains

You have to go to the end of the line.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 24 May 2025 source ↗

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