People Like Us

People Like Us (1971) is the fifth and final studio album released by the American folk rock vocal group the Mamas and the Papas.

The album was released in November 1971, three years after the group broke up but after it was discovered they still owed an album to Dunhill Records. The group had originally been signed to the label when it was run by their original producer Lou Adler. In 1971, ABC Records had purchased the label and discovered the band owed one more record to fulfill their contract. Without this record, the band were possibly subject to substantial financial penalties. Thus the group briefly reformed long enough to write and record People Like Us.

Due reportedly to the illness of Cass Elliot during the sessions, most lead vocals are handled by Denny Doherty and Michelle. Elliot's voice is audible on some tracks, but she does not feature as prominently as on the band's earlier albums. It was produced by John Phillips. Michelle Phillips later wrote in the liner note of a Mamas & Papas CD compilation that the album "sounded like what it was, four people trying to avoid a lawsuit".

Fans and critics were largely negative in their reception of the record, but the songs “Snowqueen of Texas” and “Lady Genevieve” were felt to be highlights. The single "Step Out" was a modest hit song (#81 Billboard Hot 100, #25 Adult Contemporary), and the track "Pearl" was a tribute to Janis Joplin.

Despite its reputation, the album sold moderately well and peaked at #84 on the Billboard Pop Albums Chart.

All tracks except "I Wanna Be a Star" (written by Michelle) were written by John, making People Like Us The Mamas and the Papas' only self-written and produced album. Some of the lyrics refer to John's romance at the time with actress Geneviève Waïte, whom he married in 1972. Waite is credited as co-writer of two of the album's songs.

People Like Us was reissued on MCA Records and Geffen Records.

The 2016 4-CD collection Ultimate Anthology features a full remix of the album, restoring various instrumental and vocal parts, including vocals by Cass Elliot that were originally mixed out by John Phillips.

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