It did everything but play music. Heating with a woodstove will give you a sense of security and independence that you won't get from any other source of heat. Plus, you have the option of providing your own fuel or buying wood from a local woodcutter. And the firewood business puts money into the local economy, rather than into the pockets of multi-national corporations. Naturally, we are biased about which one is the best choice, but there are reasons for our bias.
Fireplaces are beautiful, romantic and incredibly inefficient.
When they are not being used they act as an open vent in your house which lets the cold air in and the warm air out. And, when they are being used, most of the heat goes right up the chimney. If you don't have a fireplace, adding one will cost significantly more than buying a woodstove and you will never recover the money in reduced fuel bills. If you do already have a fireplace, it may look nice but it won't do an adequate job of heating your home. They are convenient, and more automated than stoves.