Gorbachev—one of Russia's most simultaneously reverenced and reviled political figures—recently showed his tender side by recording an album of romantic ballads. Sold exclusively at a charitable auction, it's unavailable to the general public, but thanks to us and the internet, you are now welcome to sneak-peek of some musical glasnost.

From fierce reformist to last Soviet head-of-state to Nobel Peace Prize winner to traitor, according to grandma, and now a recording artist—our be-speckled friend has come a long way. His musical album debut "Songs for Raisa" commemorates the 10th anniversary of Mrs. Gorbachev's death and features seven of Russia's most beloved and overplayed love songs. Sung by Mikhail himself, ballads are accompanied by Andrey Makarevich, Russia's entertainment renaissance-man and very well-preserved lead-singer of the popular, old band Time Machine.

This month in London at the Raisa Gorbacheva Foundation charity night, Gorbachev premiered his heartfelt cover of "Old Letters." The crowd of political heads, ambassadors, philanthropists, tycoons, cultural figures and random celebrities went wild. And so, Gorbachev charmed hearts and charitable wallets, crooning his way into £1,700,000 ($2,800,000) for treatment of children with leukemia.

We dug up said recording via youtube. It's good. Really. Heart-breaking, kinda. The sentimental slide-show was unavoidable, sorry. Just listen as Mikhail Gorbachev sings his heart out, proving himself a true mystery wrapped in an enigma with global-perestroika sauce and a side of love.

Горбачев записал музыкальный альбом - Gazeta.ru
Image via Louis Vuitton