Fullgás
Marina Lima
1984
Rankings
Why This Album Matters
Released in 1984, Fullgás is the fifth studio album by singer Marina Lima and represents an undeniable landmark in Brazilian pop music. The record catapulted Marina to stardom, cementing her as one of the most relevant figures in 80s urban pop rock. The album stands out for its modern sound, flirting with genres such as new wave and synthpop, and for its ability to unite sensibility and avant-garde in its arrangements and lyrics. Fullgás is not only a commercial success but a watershed moment in the artist's career, shaping her musical style and influencing her subsequent works. It is recognised as a unique gem of Brazilian pop, which managed to stand out from the FMs of the time with a discreet, elegant and, at the same time, deeply engaged aesthetic, capturing the spirit of a Brazil in transition.
Context
Before Fullgás, Marina Lima already had a career that began in 1977, with songs recorded by artists such as Gal Costa. She released her debut album, Simples Como Fogo, in 1979, and three other records through the Ariola label, which achieved modest reception. The major turning point occurred when Marina switched from Ariola to PolyGram in 1983, seeking greater creative freedom to develop a more pop and rock sound. The release of Fullgás in 1984 coincided with a period of effervescence in Brazil, which was experiencing the transition from military dictatorship to democracy and the expansion of individual liberties. This context of "combustion and effervescence" is intrinsic to the album's title itself, which refers to a full fuel tank for a new journey. The album was accompanied by a manifesto signed by Marina and her brother, Antônio Cícero, which championed creative freedom against the "order of the squares" and the "old formulas" of Brazilian music, seeking the discovery and liberation of authentic desires.
Recording
The production of Fullgás was overseen by João Augusto, who proved to be the ideal partner for Marina Lima to develop the sound she was looking for. The album's recording, which took place in 1983, was marked by the intense exploration of synthesizers and programmed electronic drums, elements that gave the record a contemporary pop character and brought it closer to synthpop and new wave. Marina composed much of the album using a portable Casiotone keyboard, seeking a "calm drum sound without fills, without disturbing the vocals". During the recording process, the artist surrounded herself with talented musicians, such as Liminha on bass, who even improvised the solo for the title track "Fullgás" with a line inspired by Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" from the album Thriller (1982), which served as a quality benchmark in the studio. Lulu Santos contributed guitar to "Mais Uma Vez". Only the song "Me Chama" was recorded with a live drummer, Lobão himself.
Songs
Fullgás is filled with tracks that became classics in Marina Lima's repertoire and Brazilian music. The title track, co-written with Antônio Cícero, is considered by critics as an example of perfect pop, with lyrics that evoke a new country and personal freedom in times of redemocratisation. Other great successes include Marina's interpretation of "Mesmo que Seja Eu", by Roberto and Erasmo Carlos, which received a more intimate version on the album. The engaging "Me Chama", by Lobão, also became one of the best-known songs in Marina's voice and that of the composer himself. "Veneno (Veleno)", Nelson Motta's version of an Italian song, stands out for the balanced dose of romanticism and sensuality in its lyrics. The album also features a reinterpretation of "Pé na Tábua (Ordinary Pain)", by Stevie Wonder, and the new wave-influenced "Nosso Estilo", co-written with Lobão and Antônio Cícero.
Legacy
Fullgás was a resounding commercial success, selling over 250,000 copies and elevating Marina Lima to superstar status in the Brazilian music scene. The album was acclaimed by critics, who praised the sensibility of the arrangements and lyrics, as well as the innovative exploration of electronic keyboards and synthesized drums. Practically half of the album became hits on radio stations and TV programmes, with tracks such as "Fullgás", "Me Chama", "Mesmo que Seja Eu" and "Veneno" becoming overwhelming successes. The success of Fullgás solidified Marina Lima's place as a female pioneer of Brazilian rock and an artist who knew how to blend MPB with the contemporary trends of 80s pop and new wave.
Tracks
Credits
João Augusto
Antonio Cicero, Marina Lima
Podcasts
Paiquerê Letra e Música · PQRLetraeMusica
Paiquerê Letra e Música #047 | Marina Lima -Fullgás Quadro Paiquerê Letra e Música. Um podcast produzido pela Rádio Paiquerê 91,7 de Londrina-PR, publicado toda quarta-feira, 15h
G1 ouviu - seu guia de novidades musicais · G1
Cantora foi entrevistada no g1 Ouviu, o podcast e videocast ao vivo de música do g1, no dia 16 de abril. Nele, a cantora falou sobre seu novo álbum, rebateu críticas, relembrou sua trajetória e explicou disco em homenagem ao irmão Antônio Cícero: ‘Necessidade de me despedir dele’.
451 MHz · Quatro cinco um
O que será da minha vida sem você? Na semana que antecede a marca de um ano da morte do inesquecível Antonio Cicero, o 451 MHz reúne grandes leitores do poeta em uma homenagem. A cantora Marina Lima, sua irmã e parceira musical, o compositor Arthur Nogueira e a poeta Alice Sant'Anna se juntam à colunista do 451 MHz Bruna Beber para ler poemas da coletânea Fullgás: Poesia Reunida (Companhia das Let
Videos
MARINA LIMA - FULLGÁS (1984) | REVISÃO DO ÁLBUM
Vinilteca
"Fullgás" - Marina Lima | Melhores discos brasileiros dos anos 80 | Alta Fidelidade
Alta Fidelidade
Marina Lima e o antológico álbum "Fullgás" (1984) | O Som do Vinil
Canal Brasil
Films
Books
Fullgás
Antonio Cicero · 2025
This work gathers the poetry of Antonio Cicero, renowned lyricist and brother of Marina Lima, who was co-author of the title track 'Fullgás' and many other songs by the artist. The book, which bears the same name as the album, offers an essential perspective for understanding the lyrical universe and poetic depth present in the album's lyrics.
Marina Lima: Fullgás
Renato Gonçalves · 2022
Released in 1984, Fullgás materialises the spirit of its time – a moment of democratic transition and expansion of individual liberties in Brazilian society after twenty years of military dictatorship. The country was in a state of effervescence, combustion, and excitement, some of the meanings conveyed by the term that names the album. This book analyses in depth Marina Lima's album, its production, context, and impact.
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.
Analyses
Fullgás – Wikipedia
Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
Marina Lima, "Fullgás" e o disco brasileiro mais emblemático dos Anos ...
tenhomaisdiscosqueamigos.com
In Fullgás, through the lyrics touched by Antônio Cícero, Marina Lima explores in beautiful and challenging melodies the strength of women, LGBTQIA+ sexuality, and political and planetary issues.
"Fullgás": Um divisor de águas para Marina Lima. - Entre Acordes
entreacordes.blog
In 1984 she released one of the best albums in national music, "Fullgás," which reflects all this effervescence despite having a minimalist setting, driven by an electronic drum kit and excellent compositions in a very well-rounded work.
"Fullgás" (Polygram, 1984), Marina Lima - Blogger
discosessenciais.blogspot.com
With the new company, Marina released her fifth album, Fullgás, in 1984, a work that became a turning point in the singer's career and would shape her musical style, influencing her subsequent albums.
Marina Lima, "Fullgás" e o disco brasileiro mais emblemático ... - Terra
terra.com.br
More than four decades after its release, with a celebratory show scheduled as part of C6 no Rock, Fullgás remains one of the most accurate, elegant, and daring portraits ever made of...
