"People Like Us" is the fifth and final studio album by the American folk rock group The Mamas and the Papas, released in November 1971. The album came out three years after the group had originally split, and it was produced to fulfill a contractual obligation with Dunhill Records, which had been acquired by ABC Records. Due to a clause in their original contract, the band was required to record one more album to avoid breach-of-contract fines. Despite the members' personal and professional separations, they reluctantly came together to make the album.
The album is widely considered a disappointment by critics and fans, though it had a few notable exceptions such as "Snowqueen of Texas" and "Lady Genevieve." It was moderately successful, reaching #84 on the Billboard Pop Albums Chart. Michelle Phillips later commented in a compilation's liner notes that the album "sounded like what it was, four people trying to avoid a lawsuit." Most of the album was written and produced by John Phillips, making it the only Mamas and Papas album to be entirely self-written and produced.
Cass Elliot, who was ill during the sessions, is not prominently featured on the album, with Denny Doherty and Michelle Phillips handling most of the lead vocals. The album marked a significant change in the group’s sound, reflecting the members' fractured relationships and their lack of creative unity. It was also the last studio album the group ever recorded, and while it was financially successful enough to fulfill the terms of their contract, it marked the end of an era for the band.
Some standout tracks include "Snowqueen of Texas," which became a fan favorite, and "Lady Genevieve," a song inspired by John Phillips’ romance with actress Geneviève Waïte. The album also includes "Pearl," a tribute to Janis Joplin, and the single "Step Out," which charted moderately on the Billboard Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary charts. The title track, "People Like Us," is the last song the group recorded together.
Although the album was not well-received at the time, it has been revisited over the years, especially with the 2016 release of Ultimate Anthology, which featured a full remix of the album, restoring previously mixed-out vocals and instrumental parts, including Cass Elliot’s contributions. Despite its troubled production and mixed reception, People Like Us stands as the final chapter in the Mamas and the Papas’ musical legacy.
