lovely – Billie Eilish & Khalid – Karolina Protsenko – Violin
When Billie Eilish and Khalid released “lovely” in 2018, it quickly resonated with millions for its haunting melody and raw, emotional lyrics. The song, featured on the “13 Reasons Why” soundtrack, speaks to the pain of emotional struggle, isolation, and the fight to rise above it all. But when Karolina Protsenko reimagines “lovely” on her violin, she takes the emotional core of the song and elevates it into a purely instrumental form that reaches straight into the heart. In her rendition, every note speaks, sings, and aches with beauty.
This article explores Karolina’s breathtaking violin cover of “lovely,” breaking down why it’s so impactful, what it brings to the original, and how Karolina continues to be a beacon of expression and hope through her street performances.
A Song of Sadness and Strength
“lovely” is a delicate balance of vulnerability and resilience. The original, sung by Billie Eilish and Khalid, is minimalistic yet rich in emotion. Its lyrics—”Isn’t it lovely, all alone? Heart made of glass, my mind of stone…”—paint a picture of feeling emotionally broken and trying to survive in a world that often feels cold and lonely. It’s a ballad that doesn’t try to hide the pain, but instead embraces it with soft vocals and a melancholic piano backdrop.
Karolina, with only her violin and backing track, reinterprets this layered emotional complexity in a unique and deeply moving way. She doesn’t need to say a word to make us feel the story. Her bow gently coaxes the melody into the air, wrapping the listener in an atmosphere of sorrow, longing, and quiet strength.
Capturing the Essence Through Violin
One of the most impressive things about Karolina Protsenko’s performance is how she captures the emotional weight of the song without lyrics. The violin becomes her voice, and it is incredibly expressive. Her phrasing is precise, yet fluid. She applies dynamics and vibrato in just the right moments, evoking the same aching melancholy as Billie’s vocal lines.
The way Karolina plays the opening notes—slow, slightly breathy, and almost hesitant—mirrors the fragility of the original. As the piece unfolds, the emotion deepens. Her bowing becomes more intense during the song’s emotional peaks, only to retreat again into softness. The violin seems to cry and breathe, perfectly echoing the emotions the song conveys.
A Street Stage Full of Emotion
Karolina often performs her covers on the busy streets of Santa Monica, California, particularly along the famous Third Street Promenade. In the case of “lovely,” the contrast between the bustle of life around her and the quiet introspection of the music is stark—and incredibly powerful. People walking by suddenly stop. Their expressions change. There’s a moment of shared silence. Everyone becomes part of the emotional journey she is crafting in real time.
Dressed casually, often in bright or floral outfits that reflect her youthfulness, Karolina’s presence is both calming and inspiring. As she sways gently with her violin, her performance feels sincere and intimate, despite the outdoor public setting.
It’s not just about the sound—it’s about how she makes people feel. The audience doesn’t need to understand music theory to feel the sadness in the slow passages or the strength in the crescendo. The raw emotion in her playing connects instantly.
Young but Wise Beyond Years
Karolina Protsenko is a young artist with the soul of a seasoned musician. Her ability to interpret deep emotional songs like “lovely” shows musical maturity far beyond her age. She has a gift not only for technique, which is remarkable in itself, but for connection. She feels the music. She lives inside it.
This is especially important for a song like “lovely,” which thrives on subtleties—on quiet pain, on breathless moments, on hope flickering through the darkness. Karolina’s performance reflects this emotional nuance in a way that resonates with people of all ages.
For younger viewers, she’s relatable—an inspiring symbol of youth, creativity, and dedication. For older listeners, she’s a reminder of the emotional depth music can offer when it’s played not just with skill, but with heart.
Global Impact and Digital Reach
Karolina’s violin cover of “lovely” has garnered millions of views across platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. The comments are filled with words like “mesmerizing,” “emotional,” and “brought tears to my eyes.” Many share how the performance helped them through difficult moments or offered comfort during challenging times.
In a world saturated with fast-paced content and constant distractions, Karolina offers something different—quiet beauty, emotional sincerity, and a reminder that sometimes the most powerful things don’t require words at all.
Her performances travel far beyond the streets of Santa Monica. They echo in homes, classrooms, and hospitals around the globe, bringing comfort, inspiration, and connection.
A Message Beyond Music
Though Karolina often covers popular songs, what she delivers is more than entertainment. Each performance feels like a gift. In “lovely,” she reminds us that beauty can be found even in sadness—that music has the power to make pain feel shared and, in that sharing, a little less heavy.
Her cover of “lovely” becomes more than just a tribute to Billie Eilish and Khalid—it becomes a message: You’re not alone. There’s hope even in the hardest moments. And there is always beauty in expressing your truth.
A Musical Conversation
In some ways, Karolina’s violin plays in conversation with the original vocals. Billie’s soft, whispery singing and Khalid’s smooth harmonies are replaced by the timbre of the violin, which holds a different, but equally expressive, voice. Karolina doesn’t just mimic the melody—she reshapes it, offering her own interpretation.
By focusing on the emotional arc of the music, she transforms it into something new. Her version feels timeless, almost classical, yet grounded in contemporary emotion. It becomes not just a cover, but a continuation of the story Billie and Khalid began.
Conclusion: The Quiet Power of Feeling
Karolina Protsenko’s violin cover of “lovely” is a stunning example of how music transcends language and age. With nothing but her instrument and her soul, she brings to life a song of deep emotional weight, turning the streets of California into a stage for healing, connection, and beauty.
Her performance reminds us that feeling vulnerable is not weakness—it’s part of what makes us human. And through her music, Karolina gives that vulnerability a voice. A soft, powerful, and unforgettable voice.
Don’t miss out on her latest stunning performance—watch the full video hope you guy like it 👇👇