Bowie: Words on a wing

“I needed to sing because no one else was singing my songs.”

Performing in Rotterdam during the Serious Moonlight Tour in June 1983 Credit: Rob Verhorst/Redferns

1969“I’m a writer . . . I really wouldn’t like to make singing a full-time occupation.”

1976“I always had a repulsive need to be something more than human. I felt very, very puny as a human. I thought, ‘Fuck that. I want to be a superman.’ ”

1978“I’m an instant star. Just add water and stir.”

1990“At no point did I ever doubt I would be as near as anybody could be to ...