Do Cóccix até o Pescoço
Elza Soares
2002
Rankings
Why This Album Matters
Do Cóccix até o Pescoço, released in 2002, represents a watershed moment in Elza Soares' extensive career, marking an artistic rebirth and the achievement of unprecedented creative freedom in her more than 40 years of trajectory. Produced by Zé Miguel Wisnik and Alê Siqueira, this album stands out for its sonic audacity and for breaking paradigms, consolidating her as an artist always ahead of her time. The work is distinguished by its innovative fusion of genres, masterfully transitioning between MPB and traditional samba, and incorporating contemporary elements such as rap, funk carioca, and electronic music. This blend resulted in a rich and multifaceted sound, at the time considered Elza Soares' most versatile and varied work. The album is a manifesto of her unmistakable voice, which reinvents herself by embracing new sounds without losing her essence.
Context
The release of Do Cóccix até o Pescoço occurred after a period of challenges and frustrations for Elza Soares, who faced the 1980s and 1990s with few releases and creative limitations. Although the album Trajetória (1997) received praise, the singer revealed she had not enjoyed the desired artistic freedom. The situation worsened in 1999, when problems with Universal Music Brasil, including an incident involving the re-recording of the song "Sá Marina", resulted in the termination of her contract. It was in this scenario of adversity and search for new horizons that Elza decided to collaborate with Maianga, an independent record label from Bahia, then led by publicist Sérgio Guerra. This new partnership proved fundamental for the realisation of her artistic vision.
Recording
The recording process for Do Cóccix até o Pescoço began in 2000, with Elza Soares immersed in a new phase of work and musical reflection. The collaboration with musicians and producers Alê Siqueira and José Miguel Wisnik was crucial for establishing a new creative 'structure', which aimed to inaugurate a long-desired artistic freedom. Initially, the album considered the titles Foda-Se and Dura na Queda. However, the final title, Do Cóccix até o Pescoço, was chosen from a verse of the song "Dor de Cotovelo", conferring a distinctive identity to the work.
Songs
The album's repertoire stands out for bringing together a team of composers from different generations and styles, reflecting Elza Soares' versatility. In addition to classics by Caetano Veloso and Chico Buarque, who participates in a duet on "Façamos (Vamos Amar)", the album features lyrics by names such as Marcelo Yuka, Seu Jorge, and Carlinhos Brown. Songs like "A Carne", which had already been recorded by the group Farofa Carioca, gained new life with Elza's interpretation and the inclusion of samples from rap artists like Racionais MCs and Apocalipse 16. Other notable re-recordings include "Fadas", by Luiz Melodia, and "Hoje É Dia de Festa", by Jorge Ben Jor. A special homage manifests in "Dura na Queda", composed by Chico Buarque in 1999, and the album also features "Flores Horizontais", a poem by Oswald de Andrade set to music by Wisnik.
Legacy
Do Cóccix até o Pescoço was acclaimed by critics since its release in 2002, being widely considered one of the best Brazilian albums of that year. Folha de S.Paulo, in its review, celebrated the project as a reaffirmation of Elza Soares' status, highlighting that in it, "Elza unleashes her raspy voice as if there were no tomorrow, eccentric and proud as never before". The album's success transcended borders, with the release of a Japanese edition in 2003, featuring a distinct graphic design. In 2018, boosted by Elza's renewed popularity with works such as A Mulher do Fim do Mundo (2015) and Deus É Mulher (2018), the album was re-released on digital platforms. On the occasion, critic Mauro Ferreira recognised it as "one of the best albums in the singer's phonographic trajectory", underlining its lasting relevance.
Tracks
Credits
José Miguel Wisnik
Alê Siqueira, José Miguel Wisnik
Alê Siqueira
ABM De Aguiar, Chico Buarque, Elza Soares, Letícia Sabatella
Toninho Ferragutti
Nailor Proveta Azevedo
Kito Siqueira, Ubaldo Versolato
Carlinhos Brown, Didi Gomes
Carmo Dos Santos, Ivan César
Milton De Mori
Nailor Proveta Azevedo
Celio Barros, Zeca Assumpção
Flávio Augusto, Luiz Henrique, Vera Veríssimo, Zé Luiz
Rodolfo Stroeter
Carlos Malta, Toninho Carrasqueira
Adson Santana
Alê Siqueira, Luiz Brasil, Swami Jr., Webster Santos, Zé Paulo Becker
Fernando Pereira
Marcelo Jeneci
Eduardo Araújo
Josino Eduardo
Adriano Busko, Boghan Costa, Carlinhos Brown, Carlos César De Araújo Motta, Dedé, Elber, Gigante Brasil, Marcos Suzano, Marquinhos
José Miguel Wisnik
DJ Cia, Negro Rico
Cacá Malaquias, Hugo Hori, Victor Alcântara
Bocato, Sidnei Borgani, Tiquinho, Valdir Ferreira
Claudio Cambé, Marcelo Cotarelli, Nahor Gomes, Odésio Jericó, Reginaldo Gomes
Carlos Freitas
Alê Siqueira
Gringo Cardia
Greg Vanderlans
Podcasts
Demorou pra gente falar sobre a maior cantora do Brasil. Elza Soares faleceu em janeiro deste ano, aos 91 anos, e deixou uma obra respeitabilíssima. Fica aqui nossa homenagem a ela.
Videos
"Do cóccix até o pescoço" - Elza Soares | Melhores discos brasileiros dos anos 2000 |Alta Fidelidade
Alta Fidelidade
Films
Elza Soares: O Gingado da Nêga
Elza Soares: O Gingado da Nêga
2013
Elza Soares talks about her story, career, marriage, idols. Among the interviewees, in addition to friends, are celebrities such as Pedro Bial, Lobão, Jorge Aragão, Negra Lee, among others.
Elza Soares: O Que Se Cala
2018
Brazilian icon Elza Soares shines again.
My Name Is Now, Elza Soares
2014
A documentary about Brazilian singer Elza Soares and her long career singing samba and jazz.
Untitled Elza Soares Biopic
A biopic about star Elza Soares, considered one of the greatest samba singers ever and a symbol of the struggle against racism and women discrimination in Brazil.
Books
Elza Soares
Lígia Moreli · 2026
This is a comprehensive biography of Elza Soares, covering her iconic career and her role in feminist and Black debates in Brazil. The book details her 35 albums and mentions hits such as 'Se acaso você chegasse', providing an essential context for understanding her entire body of work, including the album 'Do Cóccix até o Pescoço'.
Os 500 Maiores Álbuns Brasileiros de Todos os Tempos
Ricardo Alexandre · 2022
The largest Brazilian music election ever conducted: 162 specialists, spanning journalists, critics, musicians, producers and podcasters, each nominated 50 essential albums, supported by a masterlist of more than 2,000 works. Led by Ricardo Alexandre with tabulation by Sérgio Jomori, it was published in December 2022 as a 200-page hardcover book with graphic design by Fernando Pires.
Vozes do Brasil
Patricia Palumbo · 2019
This revised and expanded edition features interviews with various personalities from Brazilian Popular Music (MPB), conducted by the journalist Patricia Palumbo. Considering Elza Soares' relevance in MPB, it is highly probable that she is one of the interviewed figures, with in-depth discussions about her life and work, which would include her work during the period of the album 'Do Cóccix até o Pescoço'.
White Face, Black Mask
Darién J. Davis · 2009
This innovative work examines the role of 'Africanicity' in the creation and development of 20th-century Brazilian musical traditions. Elza Soares' album 'Do Cóccix até o Pescoço' is notorious for its incisive lyrics and social critiques, which frequently address racial themes and Black identity in Brazil (such as the song 'A Carne'). Therefore, the book is highly relevant for an in-depth analysis of the themes present in this album.
Analyses
Do Cóccix até o Pescoço – Wikipedia
Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
Cliquemusic : Disco : DO CÓCCIX ATÉ O PESCOÇO
cliquemusic.com.br
And Elza Soares warns us in Do Cóccix Até o Pescoço. With that singular and unique vocal timbre, Elza makes a magnificent return, under the artistic and philosophical direction of José Miguel Wisnik and produced by a major new talent, producer Alê Siqueira.
"Do Cóccix Até O Pescoço" (2002), Elza Soares - Blogger
discosessenciais.blogspot.com
Up until the 1970s, Elza Soares regularly released a new album annually, which allowed the singer a constant presence in the mainstream media. However, from the following decade onwards, Elza Soares' career suffered a steep decline.
Elza Soares - Do Cóccix Até O Pescoço (2002) | Toque Musical
toque-musicall.com
Even in the CD era, there's also room for Elza Soares. And here she is with a 2002 release, her thirtieth album, "Do Cóccix Até O Pescoço". An album that opened doors for new generations. A revamp for the legendary singer, bringing musical experimentation, blending samba, soul, funk, rap and electronic pop.
