John Cooper Clarke: What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy?

The question

Originally asked

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

Asked in 52 of the 131 consecutive instalments of The Guardian's The Q&A harvested on 2026-08-29.

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

John Cooper Clarke

English poet

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

Happiness is the target one only has to aim at in order to miss.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 July 2013 source ↗

Others on this question

Sofia Coppola American filmmaker and actress

Driving my convertible over the Bay Bridge when I was 18, listening to Thinking of You by Sister Sledge.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 March 2023 source ↗

At the altar all seven times.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, December 2013 source ↗

Julie Andrews English actress, singer and author

In London. When Blake [Edwards, her husband since 1969] made me laugh so much I wept. Blake says I slept with a smile.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, April 2008 source ↗

John Malkovich Actor

Probably when our children were small, which is not to say I am unhappy now.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 March 2018 source ↗

Peter Hitchens: he ploughs the lonely furrow.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 July 2013 source ↗

A mobile phone.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 July 2013 source ↗

Singing Abide With Me at the funeral of Bruce Reynolds [ringleader of the Great Train Robbery], March 2013.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 July 2013 source ↗

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