The Papas & The Mamas

The Papas & The Mamas is a 1968 album by The Mamas & the Papas. It was their final album together before the group temporarily broke up before a brief 1971 reunion.

Unlike previous studio-recorded albums, "The Papas and The Mamas" was recorded at the home of John Phillips and Michelle Phillips, although with the same production team as on previous albums.

With the exception of the very successful cover version of "Dream a Little Dream of Me" (which is not representative of the rest of the album), the album's subject matter is often downbeat and world-weary, most notably in the lyrical content of "Safe in my garden", "Mansions", "Too late" and "Rooms".

There are few love songs, and it is also more experimental, the Hendrix-like guitar textures of "Gemini Childe" being one example.

All the material was new upon release with the exception of "Twelve Thirty", which had been released as a single the previous year, 1967.

The track "Meditation Mama" featured the first vocal lead ever on a Mamas and Papas track by John Phillips. All four members of the band contribute lead as well as backing vocals on this album.

The vocals for "For the Love of Ivy" reportedly took one month to record.