Shane MacGowan: A wild life, a raw talent, a forever connection with Christmas - whether he liked it or notAccording to Shane MacGowan, the seeds of Fairytale Of New York were sown when Elvis Costello bet him he couldn't write a yuletide hit without selling out.
Source: Shane MacGowan: A wild life, a raw talent, a forever connection with Christmas - whether he liked it or not (https://news.sky.com/story/shane-macgowan-obituary-a-wild-life-raw-talent-and-a-forever-connection-with-christmas-whether-he-liked-it-or-not-13008693)