Ipod shows usb cable going to itunes, but i cant connect to itunes

so basically i was using my ipod today, playing Angry Birds, and then the battery died and it shut off. When I plugged it in at home to turn it back on it just shows a picture of a cable to the itunes symbol. So i hooked my ipod up to the computer and itunes came up,but it cant connect to my ipod because it is locked. Obviousely your thinking why didnt you unlock it; well i would have but I cant since i cant navigate away from the picture of the cable going to the itunes sign. So what the heck am I spose to do?