Shooting Star

The Mamas & the Papas recorded “Shooting Star” during the 1971 People Like Us sessions, assembled after the group reunited to complete a final album for Dunhill. John Phillips wrote and produced the track, with the album personnel including Denny Doherty, Cass Elliot, Michelle Phillips, Gene Page, Dave Hassinger, Rick Heenan and Val Garay. Released by Dunhill in 1971 on People Like Us and as the B-side to “Step Out,” it belonged to the group’s final studio campaign. The album marked their contractual reunion after the original 1960s run had effectively ended, giving the track historical weight as part of their last new studio material. The track remains a documented deep cut from the final Mamas & the Papas album rather than a major hit. It is chiefly remembered within the group’s late catalogue as part of John Phillips’ self-produced closing chapter for the original lineup.