David Bowie once turned down the chance to appear on the soundtrack for the iconic film Trainspotting, according to the soundtrack's curator.

"[Director Danny Boyle and Producer Andrew Macdonald] (told) me of the difficulties they were having in clearing tracks for the film - David Bowie had turned them, down for example," former EMI A&R Tristram Penn, who helped put the soundtrack together told Dazed.

"Andrew and Danny were desperate for Bowie - if memory serves, (they wanted) 'Golden Years' for the toilet scene."

"I'd always been a huge clubber in London - indie clubs, gay clubs, whatever clubs as long as there was great music - and Iggy Pop's 'Lust for Life' had always been a huge club hit since the Bat Cave days, so I knew it would get the adrenaline rushing if used in the opening.

I remember suggesting the song because Danny and Andrew were continually upset that Bowie had turned them down.

So they cut it in with 'Lust for Life' and it was transformational."