People's Parties by Joni Mitchell is a reflection on the disillusionment and artificiality of social gatherings. The song explores themes of loneliness, superficiality, and the longing for genuine connection amid the façade of high society parties. Mitchell uses vivid imagery and introspective lyrics to convey her sense of alienation and frustration with the pretentiousness of such events. Key moments include her observations of the various eccentric characters at these parties, each engrossed in their own performance, and her own sense of feeling out of place and disconnected.