She’s talking about being in a relationship with someone toxic and emotionally abusive.
She tries to be her best self, to entice him, to please him. But he delights in destroying her. The bit about being strapped to his chair... she’s stuck there because she’s addicted to him, not because he’s pretty.
The bit about being hungry for his bad loving. Toxic, abusive relationships can also be extreme and passionate. Addictive.
Lyrics of Straight for the Knife
Put on my best dress
I wanted to impress
I put a little make up on
Put a bow in my hair, wore pretty underwear
Hoping you might take it off
Don't know your etiquette but
I'm strapped to my chair
And it ain't cuz your pretty
You were charming, until
You saw your chance to kill
Your chance to make history
You went straight for the knife
And I prepared to die
Your blade, it shines
Looked me straight in the eye
You turned the gas on high
Held the flame alight, you wonder why
I'm scared of fire
You wonder why you make girls cry
My mascara a mess, harsh words for your princess
Boy you and your promises
If your goal was to love, you scored an epic miss
Now you'll just have memories
You went straight for the knife
And I prepared to die
Your blade it shines
Looked me straight in the eye
You turned the gas on high
Held the flame alight, you wonder why
I'm scared of fire
You wonder why you make girls cry
Boy you draw me back in
I'm hungry for your bad loving
But will someone find me swinging from the rafters
From hanging on your every word
You went straight for the knife
And I prepared to die
Your blade it shines
Looked me straight in the eye
You turned the gas on high
Held the flame alight, you wonder why
I'm scared of fire
You wonder why you make girls cry
You wonder why you make girls cry