Everything I Wanted – Billie Eilish – Violin Cover by Karolina Protsenko
When Billie Eilish released Everything I Wanted, it immediately resonated with millions around the world. The haunting melody, the deeply personal lyrics, and Billie’s gentle delivery created a song that spoke to feelings of vulnerability, dreams, and emotional resilience. Now, violin prodigy Karolina Protsenko brings a whole new dimension to this powerful piece with her beautiful violin cover, offering an instrumental version that captures the soul of the song without needing a single word.
The Original Song
Everything I Wanted is a track written by Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas. Released in 2019, it reflects Billie’s struggles with fame, mental health, and the support she finds in her brother. The song feels like a conversation, a lifeline between two people who trust each other beyond the glittering but isolating world of fame.
Musically, it’s delicate, driven by a simple piano line, soft beats, and Billie’s whispery vocals. The atmosphere is dreamlike, almost as if floating underwater — a perfect match for the lyrics that talk about a dream where everything seems to go wrong despite achieving external success.
Karolina Protsenko’s Interpretation
Karolina Protsenko is well-known for her ability to translate popular songs into stunning violin performances. With Everything I Wanted, she does something magical: she takes a song rooted in introspection and sadness and brings it alive through the emotional voice of the violin.
In Karolina’s hands, the violin seems to sing. Each note captures the longing, the fragility, and the deep bond described in the original lyrics. Without using any words, Karolina conveys the very heart of the song. Her phrasing is delicate, her dynamics are sensitive, and she lets the melody breathe in a way that feels incredibly intimate.
The Setting
Many of Karolina’s performances are done in beautiful outdoor spaces or cozy street corners, and this cover of Everything I Wanted is no different. Whether surrounded by golden sunlight or the hustle and bustle of a lively city, her presence transforms the environment. Her performance turns a busy street into a quiet, reflective space where passersby stop, listen, and are momentarily transported into the emotional world she creates.
Often, people walking by will pause, some with tears in their eyes, recognizing the melody, but even if they don’t know the original, they feel the emotion pouring from her violin.
Technique and Style
Karolina’s technical mastery of the violin is evident throughout the performance. She plays with an expressive bowing technique that mirrors the rise and fall of Billie’s vocal delivery. Her vibrato is subtle but effective, adding warmth to longer notes, and her shifts between phrases are smooth and natural.
One of the most impressive things about Karolina’s cover is her dynamic control. She understands when to let the melody grow louder, almost like a cry for help, and when to pull back into a soft whisper, expressing vulnerability. This sensitivity to dynamics is crucial in a song like Everything I Wanted, where so much of the impact lies in the emotional contrast.
Why It Works So Well
Part of why Karolina’s violin cover works so well is because the violin itself is such a human, emotional instrument. It can wail, whisper, sing, and cry — and that makes it perfect for a song like Everything I Wanted.
Additionally, Karolina doesn’t just play the notes; she feels them. You can see it in her expression, in the way she sways slightly with the music, in the way she closes her eyes to lose herself in the sound. She isn’t just performing; she’s telling a story.
Emotional Connection
Billie Eilish’s original version of Everything I Wanted is very much about emotional survival — finding strength in connection during moments of despair. Karolina’s cover taps into that universal feeling. You don’t have to be a pop fan, or even know the original song, to feel the emotion in her playing.
For anyone listening, the performance becomes a personal journey. It invites you to remember your own moments of vulnerability, your own dreams, and your own need for support and understanding. It’s this ability to create an emotional connection with every listener that makes Karolina’s cover so powerful.
The Power of Instrumental Covers
In an age where so much music is focused on lyrics and production, instrumental covers like Karolina’s remind us that music at its core is about emotion. You don’t need words to say “I understand you” or “You’re not alone.” A single note, played with feeling, can be enough.
Karolina’s version of Everything I Wanted strips away all production and focuses purely on the melody and emotion. It’s raw, honest, and incredibly moving.
Audience Reaction
Karolina’s fans worldwide have reacted enthusiastically to her cover. Many comment that her version brings them comfort during difficult times. Others mention how they found new layers of meaning in the song through her violin interpretation.
Street audiences often stand mesmerized, recording the performance on their phones, or simply watching in awe. In a world full of noise, Karolina’s violin playing creates a space of quiet reflection that people are drawn to instinctively.
A New Way to Experience a Modern Classic
For fans of Billie Eilish, Karolina’s cover offers a new way to experience Everything I Wanted. For those hearing the melody for the first time through Karolina’s violin, it’s a beautiful introduction to the emotions behind the song.
Either way, Karolina reminds us of the universal power of music — how a melody can cross languages, cultures, and backgrounds, and touch something deep inside all of us.
Conclusion
Everything I Wanted by Billie Eilish is a modern anthem of vulnerability, resilience, and love. In her stunning violin cover, Karolina Protsenko captures every bit of that spirit without saying a single word. Through her heartfelt performance, she reminds us of the emotional power of music — its ability to heal, to connect, and to inspire.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of Billie Eilish, a lover of violin music, or simply someone who needs a moment of beauty in your day, Karolina’s cover is a gift. It’s a testament to the idea that sometimes, the most profound feelings are best expressed not with words, but with music.
And through Karolina’s violin, Everything I Wanted continues to reach new hearts around the world — offering comfort, hope, and a reminder that we are never truly alone.