Considering this is my hypothetical Beatles album, I think I'm going to include songs in the original post and others mentioned in the comments, and sort of mix and match an album I think works as a whole.
Note: I beat down my tracklist so it would come out to roughly the same length of an average Beatles album (this list works out to ~47:10 minutes).
Alright then, onto the album!
I guess it's only fitting to call it:
The Album that Never Was
Tracklist:
1. Instant Karma
How could this not be first? Amazing way to kick off the album. Lennon is so sharp here he cuts straight to the bone and breaks the ice for the listening audience.
2. My Sweet Lord
Taking the tempo down a touch, but one hell of a great song. George is the sweet to Lennon's tart, giving a nice balance right from the start.
3. Another Day
The punch from the first line ("Everyday she takes a morning bath...") is perfect after the fadeout of My Sweet Lord. Track 3 is also a nice fit for Another Day to cozily dip down into from "My Sweet Lord." The lazy tempo smooths us out a bit (plus, it's nice to have a set of John/George/Paul songs to introduce each style right off the bat).
4. What is Life
The electric guitar rips into the spotlight from the earthy "Another Day." This song is signature Harrison, and a great punch after we were just putting our slippers from "Another Day." I highly recommend listening to the end of "Another Day" then straight into "What is Life," the two complement each other incredibly well.
5. Dear Boy
A total departure from the rest of the album. It's also a fantastic near mid-point as it completely breaks expectations. The almost haunting sound lays a bit of distance between the music and the listener, allowing the album to wander and evoke a mystery of "what's next."
6. All Things Must Pass
Alright, now we're getting a little serious. We were rocking and cruising, now jumping off "Dear Boy" we're starting to plant a foot in that muddy "other shore" of some really powerful moving songs. What could introduce us to this better than "All Things Must Pass?"
8. Back Seat of My Car After the first "grand" track on this album, one with a bit more scope than the previous songs, we need a bit of a breather. Back Seat of My Car offers us a little respite while giving us a meaty song with legendary Paul hooks everywhere.
9. Jealous Guy
So we go from running away with the girl, to apologizing to her. I felt this was a nice mirror between Lennon and McCartney. Not only in style but in tone (one very Lennon, one very McCartney). When positioned back-to-back, the two do seem to blend nicely from one to the other.
10. Isn't it a Pity
Now we bring George to refocus. The tease of "All Things Must Pass" earlier now comes full force. The promise of a more sweeping refrain has come full bloom. In such a beautiful blend of lyrics and instruments, this song is letting us know it's better to leave the bad times can be behind us because the good times go all too quickly. One of the all time greatest works from Mr. Harrison who is in peak form on this one.
11. Maybe I'm Amazed
This song could fit nearly anywhere. It has almost has a gravitational pull of its own. But I think putting it anywhere else would overshadow nearly (...nearly) anything that came after it. This, in my opinion, is one of the greatest songs ever composed. Its grit and heart palpitates an almost primal reaction with every beat. Paul fearlessly puts his soul right into the track, you can feel the overwhelming passion burn into you. So, coming from the gracefulness of "Isn't it a Pity," George's classic settled the stage for "Maybe I'm Amazed," which subsequently pulverized what's left to allow the next song to play on a blank canvas. But what song could follow "Maybe I'm Amazed?"
12. Imagine
This one. "Imagine" has just too much solemn intensity to be anything but last. In some ways, yet through entirely different technique, it's a cousin to "A Day in the Life." Both songs are trying to capture the experience of living, and both do it such beautifully different and moving ways. "Imagine" is so delicate on the surface, yet the marching piano hammers the piece into an incredible density. To me, this is the only way this album could end. "Imagine" could be for the world. It could be for John. It could be for me. It could be for you. It's humanity distilled into music.
13. Bonus track: Junk Of course it's not quite over yet. We've seen the masterpieces, the impeccable carving and brushstrokes on every work, every song a testament to the raw skill of each artist. But it's so... "Beatle" to leave a friendly reminder they're just a few lads from Liverpool. This is just the simple flower to look at in the coat lobby as you're leaving the museum. Not many people even notice it's there, but it's just a quiet reminder that art is everywhere, even in the small places that aren't framed and set in center-stage. Ideally, this would be unlisted on the album itself, it would humbly come on about a minute or so after "Imagine" has ended. The space gives the audience a moment to breathe after the triple threat of "Isn't it a Pity," "Maybe I'm Amazed," and "Imagine." For me, I'd slow the song just a tad (tiny little touch), strip out all the instruments but the acoustic and Paul (no harmonies), sing one verse and leave it to fade out during the "da-da's."
...a powerfully quiet epilogue to the Album that Never Was.
Where would I rank this among all other Beatles albums?
For me, if it was a collection of all these songs, it would be a strong contender for top honors. I'd have to consider it more, but I think I'm honestly leaning to set this right at the top.
Thanks for the great question! It was super fun to put this together.