arts | January 18, 2026

The Meaning Behind The Song: The Gift by Kevin Sherwood, Elena Siegman & Malukah

TitleThe Gift
ArtistKevin Sherwood, Elena Siegman & Malukah
Writer/ComposerKevin Sherwood
AlbumTreyarch Call of Duty Music Anthology, Vol. 3 (2023)
Release DateSeptember 6, 2016
GenreRock, Soundtrack, Gaming, Hard Rock
ProducerKevin Sherwood

The Gift is Call of Duty Black Ops 3 Zombies secret Easter Egg song for the map “Revelations”. It is the 5th Easter Egg song for Black Ops 3 Zombies, and the last Easter Egg song not including “Zombies Chronicles”. The song is composed and produced by Kevin Sherwood, with Elena Siegman providing the vocals.

The lyrics of “The Gift” revolve around what is believed to be Samantha Maxis assuring Edward Richtofen that he will be tormented for his actions that led to the Zombie Outbreak and his involvement in Samantha’s father’s death. It also touches upon the death of Samantha’s dog due to his experimentation with teleportation without her father’s permission.

Listening to “The Gift” takes me back to the days when I used to play Call of Duty Zombies with my friends. The intense gameplay coupled with the haunting melodies of Elena Siegman’s voice always created a unique atmosphere. The lyrics of the song add an extra layer of depth to the already gripping storyline of the game.

“Up in the sky, downwind, another light goes dim” sets the tone for the song, creating a sense of impending doom. The repetition of the line “And I know it’s him reigning like a storm again” reinforces the idea of an unstoppable force causing chaos.

The pre-chorus, sung by both Elena Siegman and Malukah, highlights the internal struggle of the protagonist. “And I need time to break all the mirrors, But my mind is in pieces and not ready to make it clearer” portrays the character’s desire to introspect and understand themselves better, but their fractured state of mind hinders them.

The chorus, sung in harmony by Elena Siegman and Malukah, represents the acceptance of pain as a gift. It suggests that pain is not the only gift being given, but it will be given solely and wholly to the recipient. This concept raises interesting questions about the nature of sacrifice and the lengths one is willing to go for someone they care about.

The second verse delves deeper into the protagonist’s struggle, mentioning the separation of mind and matter and the desire to see again. The lines “Then all the flowers combined, With all the souls that went blind to see again” hint at the possibility of redemption and a second chance at clarity.

The second pre-chorus, again sung by Elena Siegman and Malukah, depicts a turning point where the character is ready to face their demons. The line “Time to make it all clearer, And if time never ceases, I’ll be ready to break the mirror” shows their determination to confront their past and finally gain clarity.

The final verse introduces a new element to the song, comparing the protagonist’s radiant glow to the falling rain. The line “We’ll take the ever-after and turn it into pain” suggests a willingness to embrace suffering together.

The last chorus ties the song together, reaffirming the gift of pain that will be given solely to the recipient. It also introduces the idea of death as a gift, strengthening the themes of sacrifice and the lengths one is willing to go for love.

In conclusion, “The Gift” by Kevin Sherwood, Elena Siegman, and Malukah is a haunting and emotionally charged song that captures the essence of the Call of Duty Zombies storyline. Its lyrics explore themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the complex nature of love. Listening to this song brings back memories of late-night gaming sessions and the intense emotions experienced while playing. “The Gift” truly is a gift to fans of the game and music lovers alike.