My iphone says it HAS to be restored?

So, I plugged in my iphone 4s to the laptop just to upload/update apps/music. Apparently there was a new software update and after downloading it it's saying I have to restore my iphone in order to use it. The screen on my phone is showing the iTunes symbol and the plug end with an arrow (I guess stating I need to plug it into iTunes)… It brings up "Iphone Recovery Mode" but says it's up to date. Why is the phone not working properly? Do I have to restore it and loose everything (apps, music, text, contacts) from my phone? Help! Thanks

Added (1). UPDATE:

When I plug in my phone to iTunes this message comes up:
"iTunes has detected an iPhone in recovery mode. You must restore this iPhone before it can be used with iTunes"

(• •)

Then restore… Nothin else 2 do!
Please answer mines i wud appreciate it the one about the artist thanks so so much!
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Google the correct way to shut down your iPhone and then let it sit for 45 seconds or so then restore the power to it. It should work… It did for my friend.

Restore from back up. But you had to have your iPhone backed up on the computer previously so you don't lose everything but don't worry, if you haven't done that in awhile, you can back it up to a certain point so you can get some of your info back. Stuff like your contacts won't go away if you don't factory reset it. But yeah, other than factory resetting, you will still have some of your info left on your iPhone.